Chhattisgarh - number of CRPF officers killed in Naxal encounter rises to 24

Twenty four CRPF personnel were killed and six injured on Monday in an encounter with Naxals in Chhattisgarh's Sukma district. 

#UPDATE CRPF-Naxals encounter in Sukma: Death toll of CRPF personnel rises to 12, 6 jawans injured #Chhattisgarh

— ANI (@ANI_news) April 24, 2017

The encounter took place at around 12.25 PM between the Burkapal-Chintagufa area of the worst Maoist violence-affected district in south Bastar area of the state. "The Naxals fired at a patrolling party of the CRPF near Burkapal village leaving six personnel injured," Special Director General (anti-Naxal operations) of Chhattisgarh Police, DM Awasthi said.

Chhattisgarh CM Raman Singh has called for an emergency meeting later today following the incident.

Earlier, it was reported that only 12 people were killed, with six being shifted to hospital

Jawans injured in CRPF-Naxals encounter in Chhattisgarh's Sukma shifted to hospital in Raipur. pic.twitter.com/6x5zZKANVy

— ANI (@ANI_news) April 24, 2017

The jawans are from the 74th battalion of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), including an Inspector-rank officer, have been injured in the gun battle. "An helicopter has already left for the spot to evacuate the injured. The encounter is still on," a senior officer said.

Reinforcement parties from the nearest CRPF camp have also been rushed in, the officer added. Twelve personnel of the CRPF were killed in the same district early this year in a deadly Naxal ambush. 

Inputs from PTI/ANI.