In a major attack, suspected naxalites killed nine Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel in an encounter at Sukma in Chhatisgarh’s Dantewada district on April 10. Three naxalites were also killed in the incident. The CRPF party was on a search operation duty for elections. The encounter reportedly lasted over three hours. Reports noted that this was the first time AK-series rifles have been seized from the naxalites.

Police sources in Raipur stated nearly 200 Maoists ambushed the CRPF contingent, which
went to Chinta Guppa village in Dantewada district on receipt of information that the rebels were holding a meeting there1. The naxalites also killed five more CRRPF personnel in a meticulously executed ambush at Khunti in Jharkhand on April 112.

In other developments, reports noted that the CRPF will raise 10 new battalions of specially trained personnel to deal with the growing menace of terrorism in the country. The force will be equipped with modern gadgets and weapons and would be trained in the handling of modern weapons as well as develop expertise to tackle cyber crime3.

• 1. “Maoists kill 9 CRPF jawans in Dantewada,” Hindu, April 11, 2009, at http://www.hindu.com/2009/04/11/stories/2009041158230100.htm
• 2. “Rebels kill 5 CRPF jawans,” Telegraph, April 12, 2009, at http://telegraphindia.com/1090412/jsp/frontpage/story_10809131.jsp
• 3. “CRPF to raise bns to fight terror,” Daily Excelsior, April 10, 2009, at http://www.dailyexcelsior.com/web1/09apr10/news2.htm#3