Naxal air strike claim part of strategy: Defense analyst

Speaking to ETV Bharat, defence analyst and anti-Naxal expert Varnika Sharma said the Naxalite guerrillas were trying to gain the sympathy of the local people by claiming they were targeted with drones.

Raipur (Chhattisgarh):In Bastar district of Chhattisgarh, Naxalites have alleged that the police targeted them with drone strikes and have also provided evidence. But defense analysts claimed that Naxalites want to gain the sympathy of the locals .

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Speaking to ETV Bharat, Defence analyst and anti-Naxal expert Varnika Sharma said," The Naxalites claimed that two drones were deployed to take pictures after the airstrikes and that they have already released the photos and videos of the unmanned aircraft. Even if it is assumed that the soldiers have used the drone, then they used the drones to detect the Naxal activities and this is a normal process."

"Naxalites want to gain the sympathy of the locals by saying that police and security forces target them with the help of drones. Especially those people who have been continuously raising their voice for the human rights of the Naxalites are being targeted by them," she said.

"Recently, a jawan, Rakeshwar Singh Manhas, who was kidnapped by the Naxals during Bijapur attack on April 3, was released by them without any demand. Such kinds of activities by them define that Naxalites want to prove that they are taking initiative for peace but the action being taken against them by the government and the security forces are causing disruption in the peace process," Sharma added.

In this context, it is being said that Naxalites are being targeted with drones to protect the lives of soldiers during encounters. This information, which has been mentioned by Naxalites themselves in the leaflet issued by them, states that airstrikes are being carried out against them.

Earlier, the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee spokesperson had issued a press note in this regard, mentioning that on the morning of April 19, around 12 bombs were dropped on Maoists by drones and helicopters.

However, the Naxalites haven't suffered any casualties as they had changed their base prior to the drone attack. They also released a photo and a video of the bombing.

Reacting to the claims made by Naxals, Bastar IG Sundararaj P denied all the claims and called it propaganda.

Later, the Naxalites released an AV saying, "If the government wants to tell the truth about the airstrike, then a mediation team should be sent, we are ready to show them the location of the attack."

Meanwhile, the South Division Committee of Naxalites also said that they have been attacked from air.