Gun battle with Maoists in Chhattisgarh, policeman killed

One policeman was killed and many injured during a gun battle between troopers and Maoists in forests near Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh on Tuesday. The encounter began around four in the afternoon after the ultras fired at some police officials patrolling at a foretasted area, where a small bridge was being constructed. Maoists have stepped up attacks in response to an offensive that began late last year in several states, which officials say has for the first time weakened the decades-old movement.