He paid tribute on the stage itself.
After that, on the instructions of the Chief Minister, all the officials and people present there were requested to pay homage on the stage itself. CM Vishnu Dev Sai stood on the stage and observed two minutes of silence. Tributes were paid to the martyred soldiers. Meanwhile, everyone on the stage stood up. During the programme, the Chief Minister kept getting updates about the accident from the officials and police officers present there.
What did the Chief Minister say?
On the martyrdom of soldiers, CM Sai wrote on social media – ‘The news of the martyrdom of 8 soldiers, including the driver, in an IED explosion carried out by Naxalites in Katro of Bijapur district is very sad. My condolences to the families of the martyrs. I pray to God to rest the souls of the martyred soldiers and give strength to the bereaved families. Naxalites are frustrated with the ongoing Naxal eradication campaign in Bastar and are carrying out such cowardly acts. The martyrdom of soldiers will not go in vain, our fight to end Naxalism will continue strongly.
The soldiers were returning from the operation.
Security forces resumed the search operation on Saturday. While returning, a vehicle of the security forces was hit by an IED planted by Naxalites in Katro area of Bijapur district. Due to which 8 soldiers were martyred. The driver of the vehicle also died. Many soldiers have been injured in the accident. Several teams of security forces have reached the spot. Operation against Naxalites is going on in Chhattisgarh.
The IED blast by the Naxalites was so intense that it left a crater of about 10 to 15 feet on the ground. At the same time, the windows of the car flew. Parts of the car were found hanging from a tree 25 feet up.
