Sacrifices of personnel killed in Sukma encounter will never be forgotten: PM Modi

After five security personnel were killed in an encounter in Chattisgarh's Sukma, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that their sacrifices will never be forgotten.

He also wished for a speedy recovery for personnel injured in the encounter.

"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," PM Modi tweeted.

The Indian Air Force on Saturday deployed Mi-17 helicopters to help the paramilitary forces in rescue operations in Sukma where 5 jawans were killed in an encounter with Naxals, sources said.

Three jawans of the District Reserve Guard were airlifted to Raipur for treatment from Sukma where they sustained injuries in an encounter with Naxals today.

As per Sundarraj Pattilingam, Inspector General of Police in Bastar Range of Chhattisgarh, nine more Naxals have been killed and around 15 others were injured in the encounter, further informing that there were around 250 Naxalites were present during the time of encounter.

"According to initial information, at least nine more Naxals have been killed and around 15 others were injured in the encounter. We will need more time to confirm this. As per our estimates, there were 250 Naxalites there," said Sundarraj.

( With inputs from ANI )