Chhattisgarh Naxal attack: 5 security personnel martyred, several injured in Bijapur encounter

In yet another encounter in Chhattisgarh, on Saturday at least five security personnel were killed and 12 others injured in an exchange of fire with Naxals at a forest in the state's Bijapur district. Reports claimed that two Naxals, including a woman operative, have been gunned down. As of now, the encounter is still underway.

While three of the martyred jawans belonged to the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), two were from the District Reserve Guard (DRG). 

Chhattisgarh Director General of Police DM Awasthi informed that the gunbattle broke out in the Tarrem area when a joint team of security forces was out on an anti-Naxal operation.

As per the official statement, CRPF's elite unit CoBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action), the District Reserve Guard (DRG), and the Special Task Force (STF) are involved in this operation.

News Agency ANI reported that an emergency meeting of DGP DM Awasthi, Special DG (Anti-Naxal Operations) Ashoke Juneja, and other officers is underway in Raipur over the encounter.

Two MI 17 helicopters and nine ambulances have been rushed to the spot for evacuation.

Timeline of Naxal attacks this year

This comes nearly a week after the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) took three Naxals into custody for planting explosives to target security forces in Sukma.

Nearly two weeks ago five personnel of the District Reserve Guard (DRG) were killed and several injured in an IED blast, the first major Maoist attack in Chhattisgarh this year in Narayanpur.

Last month, a Zilla panchayat member was hacked to death by Naxals in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district.  A group of armed Maoists had stormed into his home and attacked him with sharp-edged weapons, killing him instantly.

Prior to the incident, at least 11 vehicles were set ablaze by Naxals in the Dhanora area of Kondagaon district.