E-Paper
9 Naxals, 2 CRPF men killed in Bastar
At least nine Maoists and two CRPF troopers were killed in separate incidents in South Bastar today.
At least nine Maoists and two CRPF troopers were killed in separate incidents in South Bastar on Tuesday.
The security forces shot dead nine rebels in thickly forested areas of Jagargunda in Dantewada, 500 km south of Raipur.
And two CRPF men died when their vehicle hit a powerful landmine in Bijapur, about 350 km from Raipur.
Dantewada superintendent of police SRP Kalluri said a joint party comprising CRPF jawans, the district police and four special police officers (semi-police) moved into the dense jungles of Jagargunda following a tip-off.
The troopers made a ring round the rebels and this led to an hour-long gunfight. Though nine bodies were recovered, the police said the number of those killed could be higher because some bodies may have been carried away, as Maoists often do while fleeing.
After the incident, extra reinforcements were made at the site near a school. The administration asked schools and markets in the area to shut down.
Kalluri said there was no report of the security forces suffering injuries. “Nine bodies of the Maoists have been recovered by the forces after the encounter. Some arms and explosives were also found”.
The forces were continuing the search operation, he said.
In another incident in Bijapur district, adjoining Dantewada, two CRPF troopers were killed when their bulletproof vehicle was blown up on Tuesday by a landmine laid by Maoists. Bastar IG TJ Longkumer said the CRPF men were returning after handing over the ration provisions to a base camp of the central police force.
