Home Minister Rajnath Singh today said the government has taken as a "challenge" the killing of CRPF personnel by Naxals in Sukma in Chhattisgarh.

"We have taken the attack as a challenge," he told reporters here.

Singh described the incident as "sad and unfortunate". "It is a very sad and unfortunate incident. I will talk to Chief Minister Raman Singh for more details," he said.

Earlier, Singh asked Minister of State for Home Hansraj Ahir to travel to Chhattisgarh to take stock of the situation. "Extremely pained to know about the killing of CRPF personnel in Sukma. My tributes to the martyrs and condolences to their families," Singh tweeted.

At least 26 CRPF personnel were killed and six wounded in Sukma district today, the deadliest attack by Naxalites targeting security forces this year.