On 20 October 2008, the 170th Battalion of the Central Reserve Police Force launched an operation against Maoists near Kongupalli village in Bijapur district, Chhattisgarh. As the troops approached their target, Maoists lying in wait opened indiscriminate fire and detonated improvised explosive devices.
The attackers had occupied the area’s vantage heights and attempted to encircle the CRPF troops. More than 200 Maoists were involved in the ambush. The CRPF personnel retaliated with determination, inflicted heavy losses and resisted the attempt to overwhelm them.
The encounter continued for a prolonged period. The courage and resistance of the CRPF personnel forced the Maoists to abandon their plan and flee. Constable Sunman Singh was among the 12 personnel of the 170th Battalion who made the supreme sacrifice during the operation.
A subsequent search led to the recovery of a Maoist’s body, a 12-bore gun, approximately 50 metres of wire, a milk container containing 2.5 kilograms of explosive material, and other incriminating items. Singh is remembered among the bravehearts who gave their lives during the operation.
