Insurgents attack CRPF jawans, 8 injured

Kanker, Chhattisgarh, Nov 16 (UNI) Eight Central Reserved Police Force (CRPF) constables were injured, three seriously, in a naxal attack in this district today, police said.

Insurgents exploded a bomb between this district's Gumridih and Kodegaon and opened fire injuring 190th batallion CRPF constables as they were returning from Pakhanjur to Raipur after discharging their poll duties.

Seriously injured Prahlad Paswan, Subodh Kumar and Gajendra Kumar were rushed to Raipur by helicopter and rest were being treated at Bhanupratappur's primary health centre.

An Indian Air Force Engineer and a CRPF Havaldar were killed in naxal violence during the first-phase of polling on November 14.

Sergeant Mustafa Ali, who was aboard a Mi-8 helicopter, was killed in Bijapur district's Pidiya after Maoists directed a heavy volume of groundfire at the chopper.

The ultras fired around 40 rounds and the Sergeant sustained a gunshot wound in the head after a bullet passed through the windshield.

Havaldar Dharmendra Rai of the CRPF's 65th Battalion was killed in firing at Kanker district's Korenar. The fatal bullet penetrated his eye.

Four policemen, including a CRPF constable, a district police jawan and two special police officers were injured when extremists attacked six polling booths in Bastar division, police added.

UNI XC-KV SP PD HT1502