The Naxalites blew up a vehicle in the convoy with an IED and opened fire at the occupants. BJP MLA Bhima Mandavi and four security personnel were killed in the attack, police officials said.
A BJP MLA Bheema Mandavi, along with four security personnel were killed in a Naxal attack in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada Tuesday. The incident occurred at Shyamagiri hills when the MLA's convoy was heading towards Kuwakonda from Bacheli area.
The Naxalites blew up a vehicle in the convoy with an IED and opened fire at the occupants. The MLA and four security personnel were killed in the attack, police officials said.
Following the attack, security forces have been dispatched to the incident site.
The attack has taken place just two days before the first phase of Lok Sabha election is scheduled to take in Chhattisgarh. Dantewada, where the attack has taken place, falls in the Bastar Lok Sabha seat which will go to polls in the first phase on April 11.
The polling in Chhattisgarh will be held in first three phases — April 11, 18 and 23. The state has a total of 11 Parliamentary constituencies.
1. Who is Bhima Mandavi?
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BJP MLA Bhima Mandavi, 40, was killed in a Naxal attack which took place in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada on Tuesday. He was the only BJP leader who had won in the Naxal hit region. The attack took place Tuesday evening when BJP MLA's convoy was heading towards Kuwakonda from Bacheli area.
In 2018 Chhattisgarh Assembly election, Bhima Mandavi had won the reserved constituency of Dantewada from Congress's Devti Karma. Bhima Mandavi had secured 37990 votes in 2018 assembly election and had defeated Devati Karma who had received 35818 votes.
The BJP lawmaker was visiting the region to campaign for the forthcoming Lok Sabha election as Dantewada which falls in the Bastar Parliamentary region is scheduled to vote on April 11 (first phase of Lok Sabha election).
DIG-Anti-Naxal Operations P Sundarraj confirmed the death of Mandavi, who was in the convoy travelling from Kuakonta to Syamgiri in Dantewada, when it came under Naxal attack this evening. (Photo: Bhima Mandavi Facebook)
#SpotVisuals: BJP MLA Bheema Mandavi killed in naxal attack in Dantewada. According to CRPF, the escort vehicle of Chhattisgarh State Police also came under the blast. 5 personnel of Chhattisgarh State Police are critically injured. pic.twitter.com/EdJMiQgjep
— ANI (@ANI) April 9, 2019
2. Naxals targeted BJP MLA Bhima Mandavi's vehicle using IED blast
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Naxals blew off one of the vehicle of the BJP leader's convoy using Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast. The photographs of the attack shows that it was a powerful blast that completely ripped apart the vehicle. The BJP MLA was travelling in the same vehicle which was targeted.
While 5 security personnel who were in the car along with the BJP MLA did not survive. Reports say that those survived were also attacked by the Naxal who were hiding in the area.
According to reports, a gunfight between the security forces and Naxals is still underway. Central Reserve Police Force have also been dispatched to the incident site.
3. Bhima Mandavi was advised by police not to visit area: Abhishek Pallav, SP, Dantewada
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Speaking on the Naxal attack at BJP leader's convoy, Abhishek Pallav, SP Dantewada said, "BJP MLA Bheema Mandavi was advised by police not to visit the area. After the attack, firing from both sides continued for half an hour. There were 5 more security personnel in a car following the BJP MLA's car, we are locating them."
Abhishek Pallav, SP Dantewada on naxal attack: BJP MLA Bheema Mandavi was advised by police not to visit the area. After the attack, firing from both sides continued for half an hour. There were 5 more security personnel in a car following the BJP MLA's car, we are locating them. pic.twitter.com/rVyfC0e0yb
— ANI (@ANI) April 9, 2019
Meanwhile, P Sundar Raj, DIG anti-Naxal operation said, "We have information of BJP MLA Bheema Mandavi, his driver and 3 PSOs getting killed in IED blast in Dantewada, today evening. It was a powerful IED blast. Bodies to be evacuated at the earliest for identification."
4. Bhima Mandavi's demise is deeply anguishing: PM Modi
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Anguished at BJP lawmaker Bhima Mandavi's death, Prime Minister Narendra Modi strongly condemned the Maoist attack in Chhattisgarh. He said, "Bhima Mandavi was a dedicated Karyakarta of the BJP. Diligent and courageous, he assiduously served the people of Chhattisgarh. His demise is deeply anguishing. Condolences to his family and supporters. Om Shanti."
PM Modi also shared his condolence for the security personnel killed in the Naxal attack. He said, "My tributes to the security personnel who were martyred. The sacrifices of these martyrs will not go in vain."
5. BJP MLA, 3 security personnel, driver killed in Dantewada Naxal attack
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BJP MLA Bhima Mandavi, one head constable Chagan Kuldeep, constable Somdu Kawasi, Head constable Ramlal Oyemi and driver Danteshwar Maurya were killed in the Dantewada Naxal attack which took place Tuesday evening.
Naxalites attacked BJP lawmaker's convoy when it was heading towards Kuwakonda from Bacheli area in Dantewada. The BJP MLA had visited the region to campaign for the forthcoming Lok Sabha election.
6. Terrorists gun down RSS leader Chandrakant Sharma, his PSO in Kishtwar, J&K
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Earlier in the day, a RSS leader Chandrakant Sharma, his Personal Security Officer (PSO) were attacked by terrorist in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar region. Terrorists had snatched the weapon from Sharma's PSO, shooting him dead while the RSS leader who got injured in the attack later succumbed to injuries.
Following the incident, curfew was imposed in the Kishtwar while internet services were also suspended.
