Sukma: Security forces exchange fire with Naxals after construction company manager killed; two jawans killed

One Naxalite was killed in an encounter between security forces and Naxals took place in Sukma on Sunday after a road construction company’s manager was killed by the Maoists. During the clashes, six security personnel were injured

According to news agency ANI, the incident took place in the Bheji police station limits in Sukma, a hotbed for Naxal activity, four days after security forces raided a Maoist camp and recovered arms from the area.

Sukma encounter: Manager of a road construction company killed by Naxals #Chhattisgarh

— ANI (@ANI) February 18, 2018

#FLASH: Encounter underway between security forces and naxals in Bheji police station limits in Sukma #Chhattisgarh

— ANI (@ANI) February 18, 2018

In April 2017, at least 25 CRPF personnel were killed and seven wounded in the, the deadliest ambush by naxalites of security forces last year.

The nearly 100-strong CRPF patrol providing security for road construction work came under fierce gunfire from Maoist guerrillas occupying vantage positions, inflicting heavy casualties on the personnel, sources in the paramilitary said.

Encounter went on for around 5 hrs in Sukma's Bheji. It started at 11am & concluded half an hour ago. Heavy firing took place from both sides. One STF & one DRG soldiers were martyred. Six DRG soldiers have been injured: DM Awasthi, Special DG, anti-Naxal operations #Chhattisgarh pic.twitter.com/izTCG5ZT0V

— ANI (@ANI) February 18, 2018

The naxalites mounted the assault around 12:25 PM in Kalapathar area of south Bastar region, one of the worst-hit by Left-wing extremism in the country.

The area is close to the Chintagufa-Burkapal-Bheji axis, the hotbed of naxal violence which has seen a number of such attacks in the past resulting in high casualties.

"As per the latest report, we have lost 25 men," a senior CRPF officer said, adding the paramilitary patrol was about 99 personnel-strong.

The naxals were believed to have also looted over a dozen weapons of the slain personnel, the officer said.

All the troops belonged to the 74th battalion of the force depolyed in the area for anti-Maoist operations.

The incident came at a time when the country's largest paramilitary force is without a full-time chief after K Durga Prasad retired on February 28.

Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi also reviewed the situation in the aftermath of the attack at his North Block office.

75 CRPF personnel and a Chhattisgarh police official were killed in the deadliest naxal attack in adjoining Dantewada district on April 6, 2010.