New Delhi, March 22 (IANS): Condemning the Maoist attack on security forces in the Sukma forest area of Chhattisgarh that claimed 17 lives of the security personnel, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, here on Sunday, paid tribute to the martyrs and said their valour would never be forgotten.

"My tributes to the security personnel martyred in the attack. Their valour will never be forgotten. Condolences to the bereaved families. I pray for a quick recovery of those injured," Modi tweeted.

Terming their martyrdom heart wrenching, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said, "I bow to them for their sacrifices. I express by deepest condolence to their families."

"The whole country is with you in this hour of grief. Indian's fight against Naxalism will continue," he tweeted.

Condoling the death of security personnel, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said, "I am upset over the killing of security personnel in Sukma. I pay my tributes to the personnel martyred."

On Saturday around 19 security personnel went missing during an encounter with Maoists in insurgency-hit Sukma district. On Sunday, 17 bodies were recovered. Of the 17, 12 were the District Reserve Guard (DRG) and five the Special Task Force (STF) personnel.

The bodies were recovered during a search operation conducted at noon by a joint team of DRG, STF and Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA), an elite unit of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).

The slain security personnel belonged to a group of nearly 600 personnel of a joint DRG, STF and CoBRA team, which had launched an anti-Maoist operation on Saturday.