At least two personnel of Chhattisgarh police were killed and six others were injured on Monday in an encounter with Maoist guerillas at Bandhe in Kanker district, about 180km south of state capital Raipur. Two villagers caught in the crossfire also sustained bullet injuries.
It is feared that the casualty may rise. The attack came after more than a dozen personnel on motorbikes reportedly left for a search operation following a tip-off about the presence of Maoists in the region.
“... a team of security forces led by Kanker district police left on the search operation. As per the information reaching the state capital, two jawans were killed and around 5-6 were injured in an encounter," additional director general of police (anti-Maoist operation) RK Vij told HT.
Chhattisgarh police are inquiring the circumstances that led the forces proceed on their bikes for the operation in the Maoist-affected area. “We are trying to find out whether it was a booby trap," Vij said.
Avinash Sharma, the Banda police station in-charge who led the operation, and a district policeman died on the spot. Three BSF men were among the six injured, said police. Unconfirmed reports stated that a rebel was also shot dead. The injured will be airlifted to Raipur for medical attention.
In 2014, the guerrillas had killed 61 security personnel and looted 47 arms and ammunition from the forces in Bastar zone, cited as a Maoist hotbed.
{{/usCountry}}In 2014, the guerrillas had killed 61 security personnel and looted 47 arms and ammunition from the forces in Bastar zone, cited as a Maoist hotbed.
{{/usCountry}}Maoists have the presence in 16 out of the 27 districts of Chhattisgarh. Kanker in north Bastar is among the seven districts of Bastar zone worst affected by the violence unleashed by Red brigade.