15 securitymen killed in Naxalite attack in Bastar

Bijapur, Nov 2 (UNI) At least 15 security personnel were killed today when Naxalites triggered a blast and opened fire at a patrolling party near Tongada village, bordering Andhra Pradesh, in Maoist-infested Bijapur district in Bastar region of Chhattisgarh.

According to police sources, the slain security personnel belonged to the Chhattisgarh Armed Force and district police.

The Centre, meanwhile, is in touch with the Chhattisgarh Government to get details of the killings.

''We are contacting the Chhattisgarh government to get the details of the incident,'' Home Ministry spokesman told UNI in Delhi.

The slain securitymen have been identified as Bojraj Markam, Narayan Ram Lakada, Sumod, Radheshyam, Sandeep, Sunil Yadav, Harish Markam, Mankuram, Ramdhar, Anil Borla, Anand Borla, Shiv Kumar, V Markam, Shankar and Satya Naraian.

Police sources said the Maoists looted arms and ammunitions from the security personnel after attacking them.

Among the 21 security personnel, five escaped with minor injuries, the police said adding that the fate of one person was not yet known.

Inspector General of Police xxxx picking up from para one of DR 60 ''INSURGENCY-CHHATTISGARH-NAXALITE TWO LAST BIJAPUR''.

UNI