Naxals ambush police jeep during President's visit: 2 killed

Jagdalpur, Chhattisgarh, Sep 29 (UNI) In a major offensive during President Pratibha Patil's visit to the picturesque Chitrakote waterfall on the Indrawati river in Bastar district of Chhattisgarh, Maoist naxalites today ambushed a police vehicle patrolling the area, killing a Deputy Commander and a jawan of CRPF and injuring four others.

The injured jawans were ferried by a helicopter to the medical college hospital here, police sources said.

CRPF Deputy Commander Diwakar Mahapatra and jeep driver Kora Singh were killed on the spot, Bastar Range's Inspector General of Police A N Upadhyaya said.

The President was watching the waterfall, about 40 Km from here, when the Maoists blew up the jeep in the landmine explosion in Banjaranghat area on Chitrakote-Barsur road around 1130 hrs.

Later, she returned to the state capital by a helicopter, official sources said.

Bastar region in Chhattisgarh is the worst affected by Maoist naxal activities for over two decades. Tight security arrangements were in place in 25 km periphery of the waterfall in view of the President's visit.

CRPF jawans were patrolling the area about 18 Km from the waterfall when the jeep was blown up. Naxalites also opened fire after triggering the blast, police said, adding there was no information whether the ultras had looted firearms from the CRPF jawans.

UNI XC-SP PK DS1503