Security forces warn of Maoist strike in Bastar

Security personnel in Chhattisgarh's Bastar region have been asked to remain extra cautious following inputs of a possibility of further strikes by the Naxals.

Security personnel in Chhattisgarh's Bastar region have been asked to remain extra cautious following inputs of a possibility of further strikes by the Naxals.

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The warning was issued as the Maoists are facing an acute shortage of arms and ammunition and might carry their strikes to continue their guerrilla war. Security forces have also been told to disrupt the availability of rations to Naxals in the insurgency-hit region, according to a police communique.

"Small action teams of Maoist have executed attacks with axes, country-made gun and sharp edged weapons on security personnel to loot their arms-ammunitions and as per inputs, they could continue such operations in near future. Keeping this in view, instructions have been issued," a senior police official told PTI.

The note issued by the office of Inspector General of Police, Bastar range to the SPs (superintendent of police) in the conflict zone and paramilitaries, states, "To counter the strategy of small action teams, it would be appropriate that security forces should interrogate each suspects at the local markets after surrounding the entire location.

Even if the suspects found to be innocent villagers during interrogation, they should be handed over to sarpanch of the village from where they belong or their relatives after the identification.

"Moreover, security forces should maintain extra vigil during their deployment at weekly markets in the restive pockets. Confirmed inputs suggest that ultras are facing crisis of weapons and ammunition and they may suffer a huge blow in their core holds if they failed to arrange it in next three-four months.