Five security personnel killed, seven injured in Naxal attacks in Chhattisgarh

Raipur: 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 red ultras in the past three days. The ultras on 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. [caption id=“attachment_2194225” align=“alignleft” width=“300”]  Naxal attacks on a rise. AFP[/caption] 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) SRP Kalluri told PTI. The mine-protected vehicle, with 11 state police jawans aboard, was dispatched from Cholnar camp for security of construction work in the region, about 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, reinforcement was 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 on Sunday night, said Jitendra Singh Meena, Kanker Superintendent of Police. A gun battle 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 last three days. Seven Special Task Force (STF) personnel were killed and 10 others injured on Saturday when Naxals ambushed them in the forests of Pidmel village in Sukma district. The rebels on Sunday 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 Uttrakhand. “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. Meanwhile, BSF chief DK Pathak will review security arrangements in the district and other areas. PTI