Naxals target IG's convoy; 5 killed

Ambikapur, Chhattisgarh, Sep 4 (UNI) Five police personnel were killed and seven severely injured in Chhattisgarh's Surguja district today when naxals targeted the convoy of an Inspector-General of Police and triggered a landmine, police said.

Surguja's IG B S Marawi was en route to Chunchuna Pundag area for inspecting a spot, where a surrendered rebel was killed yesterday, when a vehicle of his convoy was blown up this afternoon near Bandarchua forest village about 125 km from here and near the Jharkhand border.

The targeted vehicle was carrying personnel of the Central Reserve Police Force, Anti-Terrorist Squad and state police.

The ultras opened fire on the police team and the personnel retaliated. Additional forces were rushed from Surajpur and Balrampur. The Maoists ultimately fled. The deceased included two Central Reserve Police Force personnel and as many from the state police.

The injured were provided treatment at a hospital in Samri prior to being conveyed to Raipur by helicopter.

UNI Team-AC PK HS2028