Anti-naxalite operations intensified in Bastar

Dantewada, Chhattisgarh, Mar 1 (UNI) Security forces today intensified combing operations in the forests to flush out naxalites who had triggered a blast, killing 27 people and injuring 40 others and abducted several villagers yesterday in this district in south Bastar area of Chhattisgarh.

Elite National Security Guard (NSG) commandos, personnel from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Nagaland Police and Special Armed Force are engaged in operations to rescue the villagers, who were abducted by Maoists from Darbhagarh yesterday.

Inspector General of Police (Bastar range) M W Ansari and other senior police officials are supervising the operations. Two helicoptors have also been pressed into service to provide 'air cover' to the security forces, who have penetrated deep into the forests in search of the Maoists.

Security forces have also sought help from their counterparts in Andhra Pradesh to step up vigil in the border areas in view of the possibility of extremists taking shelter in the neighbouring state.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Dr Raman Singh, accompanied by senior officials, has visited the injured at the hospital at Bhadrachalam in Andhra Pradesh where they where undergoing treatment. The injured were airlifted to Bhadrachalam hospital soon after the blast.

Mr Ansari told UNI over telephone that the civil and police administration had extended full cooperation and made elaborate arrangements at the hospital to provide immediate medical assistance to the victims soon after they were alerted about the incident.

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