We will give Maoists a firm reply, says G.K. Pillai

New Delhi, April 6: Union Home Secretary G.K. Pillai on Tuesday said that India would give a befitting reply to the Maoists who killed about 80 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel in an ambush in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada district earlier this morning.

Briefing mediapersons here on the incident, Pillai said, "Our resolve against the Naxals strengthened further. We will give them a firm reply."

Mentioning about the incident, he said: "Initial reports suggest that the Naxals used pressure bombs."

"One rescue helicopter too came under Naxal fire, but we have managed to bring back seven personnel injured in the attack," he said.

Conceding some failure in the tragic incident that caused so many lives of the CRPF personnel, he said: "There was some failure....We shouldn't have lost so many lives."

"Our hearts go out to the families of those who have been killed," he added.

According to reports, the dead include a Deputy and an Assistant Commandant, and a head constable of the district police force.

In view of the incident, a high level National Security Council meet was called at the PM's residence to take stock of the situation and to decide on the future course of action.

The meeting was attended by Union Home Minister P Chidambaram, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Defence Minister AK Antony, National Security Advisor Shiv Shanker Menon, Home Secretary GK Pillai and the chief of India's premier intelligence agency RAW. (ANI)