Naxals intensify attacks in Chhattisgarh; 6 cops killed, 8 hurt

 Six security personnel were killed and eight injured in back-to-back attacks by Naxals in insurgency-hit districts of Chhattisgarh, which has seen a string of strikes by the red ultras in the past three days.

The ultras on Monday blew up an anti-landmine vehicle in Dantewada district, killing five police men and injuring eight, while a BSF jawan lost his life in Kanker district.

The blast occurred on Cholnar-Kirandul Road under Kirandul Police Station limits when the security personnel were patrolling along a road construction route, Inspector General of Police (Bastar Range) S R P Kalluri told PTI. The mine-protected vehicle, with 13 jawans belonging to Chhattisgarh Armed Force (CAF) and district force (DF) aboard, was dispatched from Cholnar camp for security of the construction work in the region, around 450 km from state capital Raipur.

After covering a distance of about 2.5 km from the camp, when security forces reached near Khutiyapara village, rebels triggered the blast and opened firing. However, some of the injured retaliated, following which rebels fled from the spot, he added. Soon after the incident, reinforcement was rushed to the spot and the injured were evacuated to Kirandul hospital, the IG said.

Four of them, including the driver, succumbed to their injuries during treatment at Kirandul, Kirandul Sub Divisional Officer of Police (SDOP) M Z Baig said, adding that another jawan, who was airlifted to Jagdalpur along with other injured, died at Medical College Jagdalpur hospital. "Subsequently, the injured have been airlifted to Raipur from Jagdalpur and admitted there at a hospital," Baig said.

Those killed are constables Jaiprakash Paswan, Alauddin and Banshidhar belonging to 17th battalion of CAF, constable Shiva Kashyap (driver) and assistant constable Lallu Pradhan of DF. A combing operation has been launched to nab the attackers, the IG added.

A BSF jawan was killed as a group of ultras opened indiscriminate fire on security personnel patrolling in the proximity of Chhote Baithiya Border Security Force camp under Bande Police Station area late last night, said Jitendra Singh Meena, Kanker Superintendent of Police. A gunfight ensued between the security forces and the ultras, who soon fled to the core forests, he added.

This is the fourth attack by insurgents in the state in the past three days. Seven Special Task Force (STF) personnel were killed and 10 injured on Saturday when Naxals ambushed them in the forests of Pidmel village in Sukma district. On Sunday, the rebels set ablaze at least 17 vehicles engaged in mining work in Kanker district.

No one was hurt in the incident, police said. The deceased BSF head constable has been identified as Ramesh Kumar Solanki, hailing from Uttarakhand.

"He succumbed to bullet injuries, sustained during the gunfight, while being taken to a local hospital," the SP said. The body of a suspected Naxalite, in police combat fatigues, was recovered from the encounter spot with three Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) placed near it to target the security personnel. BSF chief D K Pathak will review the security arrangements in the district and other areas.