Chhattisgarh: CoBRA soldier taken hostage by Maoists, released

Bijapur : A commando who was kidnapped by Chhattisgarh Maoists during a recent ambush has been released after more than 100 hours of captivity, said the State government. 22 soldiers were martyred and 31 were injured in the incident.

Rakeshwar Singh Manhas of the 210th Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) had gone missing after the three-hour long gun battle between security forces and Maoists in Bijapur district.

He was freed by the Maoists after a team of two eminent people, including a person from the tribal community, was nominated by the state government to secure his release, officials said.

According to a news report, the soldier has now been taken to the Tarrem camp of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) located in Bijapur.

"Today is the happiest day of my life. I always remained hopeful of his return," Meenu, wife of Mr Manhas, was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted that the "sacrifices of the brave martyrs will never be forgotten", while Home Minister Amit Shah wrote on Twitter that India would "continue our fight against these enemies of peace & progress".