11 CRPF personnel killed in Maoist attack in Chhattisgarh, several other jawans injured in ambush

Correspondent

NewsBits.in

RAIPUR: In a major attack, 11 central reserve police force (CRPF) personnel were killed in a Maoist attack in Chhattisgarh.

The incident occurred in Sukma district in Southern part of the State.

(UPDATE: Later in evening, police officials  confirmed that 26 jawans were killed while at least seven others were injured. Six personnel were also missing in the major attack.)

According to officials, the Maoist ambushed the CRPF jawans between Burkapal and Chintagufa in Sukma, which is known for being a Maoist infested area.

This is one of the biggest such attacks in the region in recent months. Senior officials have rushed to the spot. More details are awaited. This is the same region where 76 cops were killed in 2010 in an ambush.

The incident occurred in the afternoon. About 150 jawans of 74th battalion of CRPF were on patrolling when the Naxalites attacked it. The jawans also fired back and the cross-firing continued for long. 

The number of the attacker Maoists is being put at around 300. Therefore they manage to outnumber the CRPF personnel and inflict serious damages.

Sudden bursts of firing caught the jawans unawares. Helicopters have been rushed to the spot to bring injured jawans and the bodies of the slain CRPF personnel, said sources. The condition of some jawans is critical.