Security forces are yet to put in place a mechanism to counter the Naxals’ new strategy, which the ultras have, of late, employed effectively to attack their targets.
According to intelligence sources, under the new “hit and run” strategy, the Maoists have formed small combat groups, each comprising four-five armed rebel militiamen, to attack their targets from close range and then melt in the crowd evading action by security forces.
The groups are called small action teams (SATs). The ultras conduct surveillance on their targets before unleashing SATs after them.
“The SATs are well trained to attack their targets with military precision. In most cases, the SAT use motorbikes to escape easily after hitting their targets. The rebel combat groups are proving very effective and dangerous,” Bastar assistant superintendent of police (ASP) (Naxal operations) Surjeet Singh said on Wednesday.
Sources said security forces were yet to find an answer to the deadly combat tactic of the ultras.
The rebels had first executed their new strategy on May 17 when a SAT raided state women and child welfare minister Lata Usendi’s residence in her native town of Kondagaon in Bastar region. Although, Ms Usendi had a providential escape as she was away in their neighbouring village to attend a party function during the incident, one of her personal security guards was gunned down by the Naxals. In another incident, a small combat group of rebels triggered landmine explosion targeting a jail vehicle carrying 19 under-trials and seven escort policemen near Kondagaon on June 2 killing one cop and injuring 26 others including the driver of the van.
In the latest case, three motorcycle borne rebels shot dead a senior Salwa Judum leader Chihaka Majhi in the Gangalur weekly market in Bijapur district on Tuesday.