Naxals kill 8 in Chhattisgarh

Eight people, including four jawans of the India Reserve Battalion from Nagaland, were killed when a truck in which they were travelling hit a landmine laid by the Naxalites on Jagdalpur-Hyderabad road in Bastar region.

Eight people, including four jawans of the India Reserve Battalion from Nagaland, were killed when a truck in which they were travelling hit a landmine laid by the Naxalites on Jagdalpur-Hyderabad road in Bastar region.

Inspector General of Police (Bastar range) R K Vij said four constables of the Battalion, accompanied by two special police officers were returning after patrol duty.

“They boarded a truck that was on its way to Darbhaguda. At around 8.30 am, the truck hit a landmine and all of them were killed. The truck driver and cleaner were also among the dead,” Vij added.

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The blast occurred at Metaguda area of the district when the security personnel were travelling to Errabore from Injeram. He stated that additional security forces have been sent to the spot to carry out combing operations in the nearby forests.

Four other policemen were also injured in the blast and have been rushed to Jagdalpur and Raipur for medical treatment. The injured personnel belong to Nagaland police, a senior police officer said.

In recent weeks, Maoists have stepped up attacks on the security forces. While seven policemen were killed in Narayanpur area in a landmine blast on January 16, another blast caused the death of six persons, including five security personnel, in Bhairamgarh on February 8.

Chhattisgarh is one of the worst Naxal-affected states in the country. Around 600 civilians and security personnel lost their lives in Maoist violence last year.

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Nearly 50,000 tribesmen have deserted their native villages in Chhattisgarh after the government launched the Salwa Judum campaign, a fight against Naxalism, in June 2005.