Union Home Minister Amit Shah strongly condemned the Naxal attack in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district, which claimed the lives of eight District Reserve Guard (DRG) jawans and a civilian driver. In a heartfelt post on X, Shah assured the nation that the sacrifices of the fallen soldiers would not be in vain and vowed to eradicate Naxalism from India by March 2026.

Shah's Statement on the Attack

"I am deeply saddened by the news of the loss of DRG soldiers in an IED blast in Bijapur (Chhattisgarh). I express my deepest condolences to the families of the brave soldiers. It is impossible to express this grief in words, but I assure you that the sacrifice of our soldiers will not go in vain. We will end Naxalism from the land of India by March 2026,” he said.

Details of the Attack

• Location: Near Ambeli village in Bijapur district, under Kutru police station area.
• Time: Around 2:15 pm on Monday.
• Casualties: Eight DRG jawans and a civilian driver killed when Naxals detonated an improvised explosive device (IED).
• Operation Details: The DRG personnel were returning from a three-day anti-Naxalite operation conducted along the borders of Narayanpur, Dantewada, and Bijapur districts. The operation resulted in the elimination of five Naxalites, while one DRG head constable lost his life.

Visuals from the Site

The blast left a massive 10-foot-deep crater on the road, with the vehicle completely destroyed. Dismembered bodies of the victims were recovered, and parts of the vehicle were seen hanging from a nearby tree.

Reactions to the Incident

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai The Chief Minister expressed deep grief and blamed the attack on the frustration of Naxalites over ongoing counter-insurgency operations in the Bastar region. He referred to the attack as a "cowardly act" by the extremists. Inspector General Sundarraj P (Bastar Range) The IG revealed that the DRG, a specialized unit comprising tribal recruits and surrendered Naxalites, played a crucial role in anti-Naxalite operations. A search operation has been launched in the area to apprehend those responsible.

Naxalism: A Persistent Threat

This is the deadliest Naxal attack in Chhattisgarh in the last two years and marks the first such assault in 2025. While the government has made significant strides in combating Naxalism, incidents like this underscore the need for sustained counter-insurgency efforts.

Looking Ahead

Union Home Minister Amit Shah's commitment to ending Naxalism by 2026 reflects the government’s resolve to tackle insurgency in affected areas. Strengthened intelligence, enhanced security operations, and socio-economic development will be key to achieving this ambitious goal. This tragic incident serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by security forces in safeguarding the nation and underscores the importance of continued vigilance and countermeasures against extremist threats.