Chhattisgarh: Two CRPF men killed, 12 injured in Naxal attack

Two officials of the Central Reserve Police Force, including a deputy commandant, were killed and 12 security personnel were injured in a landmine blast triggered by Naxals in Sukma district of Chhattisgarh on Sunday.

The incident took place today morning in a forest near Bodhrajpadar village under Bhejji police station limits, Sukma Additional Superintendent of Police Neeraj Chandrakar said.

Constable Rajiv Rawat, who belonged to the 219 Battalion of CRPF, and one of the two deputy commandants in the operational units have been killed. The identity of the deputy commandant is in the process of being established.

"Two of our personnel including a deputy commandant-level officer have been killed. The entire operation was being led by senior officers," said CRPF Inspector General (Operations) H S Sidhu.

Twelve security personnel, including a CRPF deputy commandant, seven other officials of the force and four state policemen have been injured in the incident, he added.

The evacuation process is going on and two helicopters have been sent to retrieve the injured jawans, ASP Chandrakar said.

A joint squad of the Central Reserve Police Force, its specialised unit Commando Battalion for Resolute Action and the district police personnel have been engaged in an anti-Naxal operation in the region, which is around 500 km away from Raipur, for the past few days.

Maoists triggered a landmine blast and opened fire on the security personnel, Chandrakar said.

They were forced to retreated after the security personnel retaliated and began to encircle them.