At least twenty-two soldiers have been killed in the Naxal attack at the Sukma-Bijapur in Chhattisgarh on Saturday.

My thoughts are with the families of those martyred while fighting Maoists in Chhattisgarh. The sacrifices of the brave martyrs will never be forgotten. May the injured recover at the earliest.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 3, 2021

Meanwhile, search operations are still underway for a missing security personnel.

On ground visuals from the site of Naxal attack at Sukma-Bijapur border in Chhattisgarh; 22 security personnel have lost their lives in the attack pic.twitter.com/sVCoyXIRwN

— ANI (@ANI) April 4, 2021

According to the latest reports, 32 jawans sustained injuries during the anti-Naxal operation.

7 injured security personnel who were shifted to Raipur are out of danger. 21 personnel are missing & rescue team is searching for them. I received a call from HM Amit Shah. He has sent CRPF DG to the state. I'll return to Chhattisgarh in the evening: Chhattisgarh CM in Guwahati pic.twitter.com/SbPvoj7W5r

— ANI (@ANI) April 4, 2021

The ambush took place in the jungles near the border between Bijapur and Sukma districts on Saturday, where security forces numbering over 400 came under attack from the PLGA platoon of the Maoists in Tarrem area, reports state.

The exchange of fire lasted over three hours.

#WATCH | On ground visuals from the site of Naxal attack at Sukma-Bijapur border in Chhattisgarh; 22 security personnel have lost their lives in the attack pic.twitter.com/nulO8I2GKn

— ANI (@ANI) April 4, 2021

Speaking to the media in Guwahati on the attack, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said, “A search operation is underway. Both sides have suffered losses. Our jawans have lost their lives. I pay tributes to them. I want to assure their families that their sacrifice will not go in vain.”

Shah, who was in Assam for the poll campaign, cut short his visit and returned to the national capital in the wake of the attack to take stock of the situation.

I bow to sacrifices of our brave security personnel martyred while fighting Maoists in Chhattisgarh. Nation will never forget their valour. My condolences are with their families. We will continue our fight against these enemies of peace & progress: Union Home Minister Amit Shah pic.twitter.com/QzSSsAooPm

— ANI (@ANI) April 4, 2021

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also paid tributes to the personnel who have lost their lives in the attack.

"They fought with utmost courage, their sacrifice will never be forgotten. My deepest condolences to their families," Singh said.

Meanwhile, a nation left reeling by the loss of its bravehearts came together on Twitter to pay tribute to the fallen martyrs:

Heartfelt Tributes & Salutations
to the brave jawans who have displayed supreme valour & sacrificed their lives in #Bijapur #Chhattisgarh Naxal attack .

Nation is united against Naxalism
JaiHind #BijapurEncounter pic.twitter.com/TdsgUHXF8p

— Sonal Goel IAS (@sonalgoelias) April 4, 2021

Heartfelt tributes to the brave hearts of @crpfindia who sacrificed their lives in the #NaxalAttack in #Chattisgarh !

Prayers for a heavenly abode for the departed & speedy recovery for the injured !#CRPF #Sacrifice #Sukma #SukmaEncounter pic.twitter.com/PbOS68sP2S

— RAHUL SRIVASTAV (@upcoprahul) April 4, 2021

Sad
We lost 5 bravehearts in Naxal attack in Chhatisgarh,13 Jawans grievously injured

250 Naxal terrorists attacked security forces column..250 !
Who is providing weapons to them ?
Who is giving them intellectual cover ?
Who fights their cases in court ?

Ans-Traitors of India

— Major Surendra Poonia (@MajorPoonia) April 3, 2021

Heart breaking to hear the news of loss of 22 security personnel and injuries to many in the #NaxalAttack in Sukma in Chhattisgarh. Nation is indebted to the jawans who laid down their lives. Naman to the martyrs.

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) April 4, 2021

Request to politicians not to play with lives of CRPF Jawans for your Benefit#NaxalAttack

— Adnan Khan 🇮🇳 (@Kh14245350Adnan) April 4, 2021

 Meanwhile, the local police have reportedly recovered bullet-riddled bodies of 17 jawans from the jungles of Chhattisgarh. 

The security personnel who were killed in the gunbattle include officers from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), CoBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action), and the District Reserve Guard (DRG). 

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