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India Gazette
24-06-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
Chhattisgarh: Congress' Sachin Pilot meets family of police official killed in IED blast
Raipur (Chhattisgarh) [India], June 24 (ANI): Congress leader and the party's Chhattisgarh in-charge Sachin Pilot met with the family members of Akash Rao Giripunje, Additional Superintendent of Police, who lost his life in an IED blast in Sukma district. Congress's state president Deepak Baij, Chhattisgarh Assembly's leader of Opposition Charandas Mahant, party MLA Devendra Yadav, former MLA Vikas Upadhyay and others accompanied Pilot to meet the families. Pilot said that the sacrifice of the ASP will always be remembered, as he assured the family of support in any possible way. 'I expressed condolences to the family of the officer. We will support them in all possible way, and government is also helping them... We will always remember their sacrifice,' he told ANI. He also criticised the state government for 'turning away from its promises,' and said that the Congress party's president, Mallikarjun Kharge, along with senior leader KC Venugopal, will be visiting Chhattisgarh on July 7. 'Concentrating entire country's power in few people's hands is wrong... Many state governments and the Union government is sidelining all sorts of processes and achieving their target, which we are against... The Chhattisgarh government is neither with the farmers, and is also turning away from its promises... Mallikarjun Kharge and KC Venugopal are coming to Chhattisgarh on 7th July... State government will come to know who the public stands with,' Pilot said. Earlier on June 23, Union Home Minister Amit Shah met the family members of ASP Giripunje. In a post on X, Shah wrote, 'Today, I met the family members of senior police officer Akash Rao Giripunje, who was martyred in the fight against Naxalism in Nava Raipur (Chhattisgarh). The Modi government is moving forward in the direction of paying tribute to all the immortal martyrs by making India free of naxalism by March 31, 2026.' According to officials, ASP Giripunje was on foot patrol duty to prevent any Naxalite incident, when the IED blast occurred near Dondra on Konta-Errabora road, due to which ASP Konta Division, Sukma district, Akash Rao Giripunje sustained serious injuries. He later succumbed to the injuries. (ANI)
Hans India
15-06-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Chhattisgarh: Security forces to sustain anti-Maoist operations through monsoon
Following the demise of an assistant superintendent of police rank official in Chhattisgarh recently in a gun-battle with Maoists, the security forces will not observe monsoon recess during on-going anti-LWE operation. Chhattisgarh's Bastar division has Sunday resolved to continue their anti-Naxal operations throughout the monsoon season. The decision was formalised during a high-level strategy review meeting held on Sunday, police sources said. The meeting brought together senior officers from the District Reserve Guard (DRG), Special Task Force (STF), and other units engaged in counterinsurgency efforts. Discussions focused on adapting operational logistics to the challenges posed by the monsoon, including difficult terrain, disrupted mobility, and communication hurdles. Deputy Chief Minister and Home Department in-charge Vijay Sharma made the government's stance unequivocally clear. "There will be no further dialogue with the Maoists," he stated. "You either surrender or face decisive action." This firm declaration signals a significant shift in policy and tone, underscoring the administration's resolve. Historically, anti-LWE operations saw reduced activity during the monsoon months due to logistical challenges. In a tragic incident in Sukma district's Kunda region, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Akash Rao Giripunje was martyred in a Maoist-planted IED (improvised explosive device) blast. The explosion also left the SDOP and the officer in charge of the local police station seriously injured. In the aftermath, security agencies have heightened their vigilance, and the government has issued directives for intensified action against the Maoists. Despite seasonal constraints, the campaign against the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist) organisation remains active across all districts of the Bastar division. Sources said the officials emphasised that the rainy season will not deter the security apparatus from maintaining pressure on Maoist strongholds. 'Operations will be recalibrated, not paused,' a senior police officer said, highlighting the use of intelligence-led tactics and community engagement to sustain momentum. The Bastar division, which includes several districts with a history of Maoist activity, has seen intensified operations under the state's broader counterinsurgency framework. Initiatives like 'Lone Varratu' and 'Poona Narkom' have already led to significant surrenders and a weakening of Maoist influence in the neighbouring regions. The meeting concluded with a reaffirmation of the state's commitment to a three-pronged strategy of 'security, development, and trust-building'. Officials reiterated that the goal is not only to neutralise armed insurgents but also to restore governance and public confidence in remote tribal areas. With the monsoon approaching, the Bastar division's security forces appear poised to adapt and persist -- rain or shine -- in their mission to dismantle the Maoist network and restore lasting peace. As part of this renewed offensive, the state government has transferred nearly a dozen Assistant Superintendents of Police to the LWE-affected regions, reinforcing the operational backbone in conflict-prone districts. Each officer has been entrusted with a clear mandate; to eliminate the Maoists' threat from their respective areas.
Time of India
11-06-2025
- Time of India
Guerrillas' Call Ambush Tactic Still Takes A Heavy Toll On Commandos
Nagpur: The 'call ambush' strategy unleashed by guerrillas has exacted a heavier toll on security forces than jungle encounters in Maoist-hit states and the death of additional superintendent of police Akash Rao Giripunje in a IED blast in Sukma earlier this week reignited concerns over the deadly tactic. This calculated guerrilla warfare method, which exploits routine administrative procedures, has prompted security forces to overhaul their standard operating procedures, yet the threat remains formidable, said a senior security official. The 'call ambush' follows a sinister pattern. First, Maoists orchestrate arson in a village, often coercing locals to contact police for a spot 'panchanama' — a formal investigation to document losses for compensation claims, which is integral to the probe. When security personnel respond, they are lured into a trap where Maoists execute a three-pronged strategy — rigging the area with improvised explosive devices (IEDs), detonating blasts to disorient the commandos, and unleashing indiscriminate gunfire. The killing of ASP Giripunje in Sukma exemplifies this tactic. Responding to a villager's call to probe an arson incident, Giripunje and his team were ambushed in a meticulously planned attack involving IEDs and gunfire, leaving no chance for retaliation. In Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh, a hotbed of Maoist activity, 'call ambushes' have been a recurring menace. Commandos in Maharashtra's Gadchiroli district have suffered heavy casualties from 'call ambushes.' In 2009, Maoists killed 51 security personnel in the district in different incidents, with a particularly devastating incident near Markegaon in February, where 15 cops were ambushed while heading to conduct a 'panchanama' following an arson attack. Prompted by villagers under Maoist coercion, the small contingent was unprepared for the assault, with Maoists rigging the area with explosives and opening fire, killing all the 15. Also in 2009, a similar 'call ambush' led to the killing of 16 security personnel, including around six women cops near Hattigota in Dhanora tehsil of north Gadchiroli. In the same year, the Maoists deployed similar strategies to wipe out 17 cops from Laheri outpost in south Gadchiroli. In 2019, another 'call ambush' in Jambhukheda, Kurkheda taluka, claimed 13 policemen, who were responding to a panchanama request. "We urge villagers in Gadchiroli to get the panchanama done through video calls and such methods or delay the process before sanitising the area, deploy bomb detection and disposal squads and move after opening roads which are safe for movements of troopers," said a senior official of Maharashtra police. In Chhattisgarh in April 2021, a similar ambush in Sukma district killed 22 security personnel when forces were lured to a Maoist-controlled area in the pretext of an operation. The Sukma attack in 2025 underscored Maoists' continued ability to exploit community-driven requests, turning routine duties into deadly traps. These incidents highlight Maoists' strategic exploitation of administrative protocols. Beyond Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra, 'call ambushes' have plagued other states in the Red corridor. In Jharkhand's Latehar district, a 2021 ambush killed five policemen responding to a 'panchanama' call. In Odisha's Malkangiri district, multiple casualties were reported in 2023 due to similar traps. The tactic's success lies in exploiting the predictability of police responses, turning procedural duties into opportunities for attack. The repeated success of 'call ambushes' has forced security forces to adapt. In Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, and other LWE states, police now rely on technology to minimise risks. Video calls, drone surveillance, and remote assessments have become integral to SOPs, allowing forces to verify situations without immediate exposure. In 2023, Chhattisgarh police began using drones extensively after a series of ambushes, a practice now standard across Maoist-hit states. The guerrilla arsenal also includes 'mobile warfare,' where insurgents from multiple locations converge at an ambush point, amplifying attack impact. This, combined with 'call ambushes,' represents two most perilous strategies faced by security forces. The convergence of fighters makes attacks unpredictable, while manipulation of villagers adds psychological warfare.
India Gazette
11-06-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
Chhattisgarh CM pays tribute to ASP Girpunje, martyred in Naxal attack in Sukma
Raipur (Chhattisgarh) [India], June 11 (ANI): Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Tuesday paid tribute to Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Akash Rao Girpunje in Raipur, who was killed in a Naxal attack in Sukma's Konta area on June 9. Deputy Chief Ministers Arun Sao and Vijay Sharma, along with others, also attended the ceremony. ASP Girpunje was killed in an IED blast in Sukma's Konta area. Senior officials and family members paid tribute to him. The ASP had served in Bastar for about 1.5 years and was dedicated to maintaining law and order. 'The martyrdom of Akash Rao will not deter us from our mission to eliminate Naxalism. We will continue to work towards peace and development in Bastar,' said IG Bastar Sundarraj. 'The news of ASP Akash Rao's martyrdom is extremely sad and heart-wrenching. We pray for his soul and the speedy recovery of those injured in the incident,' said BJP State President and Jagdalpur MLA Kiran Deo. The mortal remains of Giripunje reached the Mana Fourth Battalion of Raipur on Tuesday. Family members of Giripunje, Assembly Speaker Raman Singh, Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao, and Cabinet Minister Laxmi Rajwade also reached the Mana Fourth Battalion. Police officials and residents also paid tribute to the police personnel. Earlier, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai condemned the IED blast in Sukma district. CM Sai said that his sacrifice would not go in vain. CM Sai also visited the residence of Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Akash Rao Giripunje in Raipur on Monday to meet his family members. 'We pay tribute to ASP Akash Rao Giripunje. The Naxals are doing this as they are rattled. His sacrifice will not go in vain. The naxals are taking their last breaths and doing all this in frustration. We condemn this incident. May his family get the strength to bear this loss. Those injured will be brought to Raipur for the best medical treatment,' CM Vishnu Deo Sai said. He added, 'A reputed Additional SP has lost his life due to the IED blast that occurred on Monday. This is unfortunate news. ASP Akash Rao Giripunje's sacrifice will not go in vain, and the naxals will have to pay a price for this cowardly act. The naxals will get a befitting reply for this'. (ANI)
India Gazette
10-06-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
"We are learning": NSG DG Brighu Srinivasan on anti-Naxal operations
New Delhi [India], June 10 (ANI): Brighu Srinivasan, the Director General (DG) of the National Security Guard (NSG), on Tuesday clarified the NSG's role in anti-Naxal operations. According to Srinivasan, the state police is the lead agency in such operations, while the Central Armed Police Forces play a crucial supporting role. Srinivasan emphasised that the NSG is learning from anti-Naxal operations and will conduct operations if needed, adding that the NSG is known for its precise operations and is called in only when there is solid intelligence. Speaking to ANI about the anti-Naxal operations in Gadchiroli, Maharashtra, DG NSG, Brighu Srinivasan said, 'State police is the lead agency in anti-Naxal operations. Central Armed Police Forces play an important role. NSG skillset is limited. Our operations are precise and we are called only if there is solid intelligence. In the anti-Naxal operations, we are learning and if and when the need arises, we will carry out an operation...' The NSG's role is to provide specialized support when required, working in conjunction with state police and other central forces to tackle Naxalism effectively Meanwhile, Chhattisgarh's Sukma witnessed two Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blasts. ASP Akash Rao Giripunje, who lost his life in an IED blast carried out by Naxalites in Sukma's Konta. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai paid tribute to ASP Akash Rao Giripunje and said his sacrifice will not go in vain. Speaking to the media, the Chief Minister said, 'ASP Akash Rao Giripunje lost his life in an IED blast carried out by Naxalites in Sukma's Konta... We came here to pay respects to him... His sacrifice will not go in vain. Naxalism is taking its last breath, and it will end soon... We have lost a very capable officer...' On Tuesday, CM Vishnu Deo Sai, Assembly Speaker Raman Singh and other dignitaries paid their last respect to ASP Akash Rao Giripunje. The body of Giripunje reached the Mana Fourth Battalion of Raipur on Tuesday. Family members of Giripunje, Assembly Speaker Dr Raman Singh, Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao, and Cabinet Minister Laxmi Rajwade also reached the Mana Fourth Battalion. Police officials and residents also paid tribute to the slain police personnel. The IED blast occurred on Monday and claimed the life of ASP Giripunje. (ANI)
