Govt plans all-out offensive on outlaws

Rattled with the audacious attack on Congress leaders in Chhattisgarh, the country’s security establishment is drawing up a massive counter offensive plan against the naxals from multiple fronts.

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Rattled with the audacious attack on Congress leaders in Chhattisgarh, the country’s security establishment is drawing up a massive counter offensive plan against the naxals from multiple fronts.

"The idea is to take the fight to the naxal dens. A counter offensive from multiple fronts is in offing to encircle the Maoists in their stronghold in the Bastar region of Chhattisgarh," said a senior government official on condition of anonymity.

The central team comprising home secretary RK Singh and IB chief Syed Asif Ibrahim visited Raipur on Tuesday and did some plain talking with the Chhattisgarh administration.

"We discussed change in tactics and strengthening the strategy to deal with Maoists… We also asked the state administration to fix responsibility for the lapses that resulted in the May 25 killings," said the official.

The security forces will soon get a round-the-clock eye in the sky over the naxal-hit areas in Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.

"By June we will have enough trained pilots to fly the unmanned arial vehicles (UAVs) from the Hyderabad airport where a base station has been set up. The UAVs are flown by the air force personnel who have joined the National Techincal Research Organisation on deputation. Due to paucity of pilots, it was not possible to fly the UAVs all the time," said a senior security official.