Raipur, April 13: Five security personnel were killed and seven injured, two of them critically, in back-to-back attacks by Naxals in insurgency-hit districts of Chhattisgarh, which has seen a string of strikes by the Reds in the past three days.
The ultras Monday blew up an anti-landmine vehicle in Dantewada district, killing four security men and injuring seven, 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 said.
The mine-protected vehicle, with 11 state police jawans aboard, was dispatched from Cholnar camp for security of the construction work in the region, around 450 km from state capital Raipur.
The rebels triggered the blast, leaving four personnel dead and seven others injured, Kalluri said. “Of the injured, two are said to be in a serious condition.”
Soon after the incident, reinforcements were rushed to the spot and the injured admitted to a local hospital, he said. 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 Sunday night, said Kanker SP Jitendra Singh Meena,.
A gunbattle 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 last three days.
Seven Special Task Force (STF) personnel were killed and 10 others injured Saturday when Naxals ambushed them in the forests of Pidmel village in Sukma district.
The rebels Sunday set ablaze at least 17 vehicles engaged in mining work in Kanker district. No one was hurt in the incident, police said. PTI