Jagdalpur/New Delhi, Apr 24 (UNI) In a major setback to the anti-Naxal operations in Chhattisgarh, as many as 26 CRPF personnel were martyred in an ambush by the Maoists in Sukma district today, officials said. “The deceased personnel belonged to the CRPF’s 74th Battalion. The injured were airlifted to Raipur. Circumstantial evidence including bloodstains and dragging marks indicate that at least 4-5 ultras were neutralised and several injured. However, the extremists managed to take away the corpses,” Bastar Deputy Inspector General of Police P Sunderraj said. The government has termed the attack a "big tragedy" and a "setback for the forces", even as Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju said the detailed analysis on intelligence failure or other issues can be made only after there is a detailed report. Prime Minister Narendra Modi termed the Maoists' attack on CRPF personnel "cowardly and deplorable" and said the government is monitoring the situation closely. "The sacrifice of the martyrs will not go in vain," he said in a series of tweets. The injured have been taken to Raipur's Ramakrishna Hospital, sources in the CRPF said. Elite Cobra force have been deployed to bring back the bodies of the martyrs. Earlier, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh in a series of tweets said, "Extremely pained to know about the killing of CRPF personnel in Sukma." The top Home Ministry officials held a high-level meeting, official sources said. Another Minister of State for Home Hansraj Gangaram Ahir is going to Sukma tomorrow, the Home Minister said in a tweet. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh, who was in the capital to attend NITI Aayog meeting that took place yesterday, rushed back to his state soon after the news of the massacre of the paramilitary force jawans came in. One of the victims succumbed to injuries in hospital. Bodies of six CRPF jawans have reached Burkapal camp. UNI DEVN SW SHK 1931