Gadchiroli Attack: Jawans' sacrifice will never be forgotten, perpetrators won't be spared, says PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday assured to avenge the death of 16 security personnel in the IED blast by Maoists in Maharatshtra’s Gadchiroli district. 16  security personnel lost their lives after rebels triggered an improvised explosive device, targetting a police vehicle between Jamborkheda and Lendhari in Gadchiroli.

Taking to Twitter, PM Modi wrote, "Strongly condemn the despicable attack on our security personnel in Gadchiroli, Maharashtra. I salute all the brave personnel. Their sacrifices will never be forgotten. My thoughts and solidarity are with the bereaved families. The perpetrators of such violence will not be spared".

Strongly condemn the despicable attack on our security personnel in Gadchiroli, Maharashtra. I salute all the brave personnel. Their sacrifices will never be forgotten. My thoughts & solidarity are with the bereaved families. The perpetrators of such violence will not be spared.

— Chowkidar Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 1, 2019

The police vehicle, blown up by the Maoists, was carrying 16 security personnel from the Kurkheda Quick Response Team of Gadchiroli police. The exchange of fire was underway between police and rebels when the last reports came in. 

The incident comes hours after the rebels torched around 25 vehicles of a road construction company in the district, police said. The vehicles were burnt at Dadapur in Kurkheda tehsil.

Speaking to media, Shailesh Balkawade, Superintendent of Police, Gadchiroli said, "A group of Maoists gathered around 3.30 am at Dadapur where the construction of a national highway has been going on since the last few months".

They torched the vehicles, which were parked along the road, using kerosene and diesel, the Balkawade said. "After setting the vehicles on fire, the Naxals escaped into the forest. A search operation has been launched," he added.

A formal complaint about the incident is yet to be lodged. On April 11, an encounter broke out between CRPF personnel and rebels in the Maoist hit district of Gadchiroli. In January this year, Maoists set ablaze vehicles in the villages of Kurkheda, Korchi and Potegaon in the district.