Troopers hit Maoist hideouts, 7 killed

A Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) officer and at least six Maoists were killed on Friday as hundreds of security personnel launched operations against the guerrillas across Chhattisgarh's Bastar region.

A Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) officer and at least six Maoists were killed on Friday as hundreds of security personnel launched operations against the guerrillas across Chhattisgarh's Bastar region.

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Gunfights broke out in thickly forested stretches in Bastar's Dantewada district, about 450 km south of the capital Raipur, described as India's worst Maoist-hit district.

"We have encircled over 100 Maoist terrorists in their stronghold at more than one location. So far, we have killed at least six of them and the casualty figure might surge once the fight ends," Girdhari Nayak, additional director general of police said.

A deputy commandant of the CRPF was also killed and several troopers were injured when the guerrillas retaliated after being put under heavy fire in meticulously planned operations led by the special anti-Maoist force, Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (Cobra), sources at the police headquarters here added.