Something has gone drastically wrong, says shocked Chidambaram

Expressing shock over the 'very high' casualty of Central Reserve Police Force personnel in Chhattisgarh, Home Minister P Chidambaram on Tuesday said something must have gone 'drastically' wrong in the joint operation with the state police.

"The casualty is very high and I am deeply shocked at the loss of lives. This shows the savage nature of the Communist Party of India - Maoist and their brutality and the savagery they are capable of. Senior officials are on their way (to the attack site)," he said.

"The government of Chattisgarh and CRPF together had planned this operation. They had mobilised both the state forces and the CRPF, but something has gone drastically wrong. They seem to have walked into a trap set by Naxals," he said.

Chidamabaram said he was 'very sorry' for those who lost their lives in the attack. At least 72 CRPF and district force personnel were killed when a large group of Maoists ambushed them in the thick Mukrana forests of Chhattisgarh's Dantewada district.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh also expressed shock and grief over the loss of lives in the Naxal attack in Dantewada.