7 dead in Naxal attacks in Gadchiroli in Maharashtra

Seven police men have been reported dead in what is believed to be a Naxal attack, in Gadchiroli in Maharashtra.

The incident occurred at 9.40 am when the policemen were moving for an operational task in the forest between Pavimuranda and Murmuri villages in Chamorshi taluka of the district. Officials said the slain security personnel belong to the specialised C-60 anti-Naxal operations force of Maharashtra and the blast took place when their vehicle was moving along the Murmuri-Chamuri axis of the district.

"We have lost seven of our men in the attack carried out by Naxalites. The incident occured in Gadchiroli," a senior police officer said. The injured have been airlifted to Nagpur while additional reinforcements of security personnel have been sent, they said.

After the landmine blast, there was an exchange of fire between the police and Maoists. Firing is still going on in the forest area, police said. The policemen were killed in land-mine blast which the police say was triggered by local Naxal groups.

The Gadchiroli district of east Maharashtra is known to be a Naxal hotbed. Only recently, the police released data stating that as many as 417 vehicles, collectively worth over Rs 15 crore, have been burnt down by the anti-establishment group, in last 25 years. Read more on that here

According to ANO, year 2009 was worst as a total of 49 vehicles were targeted. "While it was 30 vehicles in 2011, 28 in 2008, 26 in 2006 and 28 in 2013," they informed.