We will not let the blood of our men go waste: CRPF

After suffering a major blow at the hands of Maoists in Chhattisgarh, the Central Reserve Police Force on Friday said it will not let the blood of its men go waste and take the battle against the Left-wing extremists forward with a hardened resolve.

"We will not let this blood go waste. I pledge to carry forward the battle," CRPF Special Director General (North) N K Tripathi said at the force's Valour Day event in New Delhi.

Asked if the force was feeling demoralised after the Dantewada attack, in which 75 CRPF personnel were wiped out in an ambush on April 6, he said, "There is no question of our morale being hit. As a matter of fact, our resolve to fight has hardened."

Tripathi admitted that the force will take more time to understand the mistakes committed and the strategy adopted by the Maoists.

The senior CRPF official said he does not agree with certain media reports regarding lack of training in the force; and that the particular company which was attacked in Dantewada had not been given the requisite training.

"The men were trained and were given all the weaponry available," he said.

Asked what kind of training was given to the particular company, Tripathi said, "All training, including jungle warfare training, was provided."

Earlier, Home Minister P Chidambaram awarded medals to officers and personnel of the force at the function.