Maoists attack Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Orissa to disrupt polling

Raipur/Ranchi/, Bhubaneshwar, Apr 16 (ANI): As the voting for the 15th Lok Sabha is underway, Maoists attacked polling booths and secuitry personnel in Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Orissa.

In Jharkhand, six Border Security Force (BSF) personnel were killed in a landmine blast in Latehar district.

According to police, Maoists detonated the landmine when the BSF personnel were travelling in a bus to a polling station near Aara village, about 140 km from the state capital. Later, Maoists ambushed the BSF bus.

Meanwhile, heavy exchange of fire has been reported from Chhattisgarh and Orissa.

Maoists began fire at six polling stations in Chhattisgarh's Bastar region after the voting began this morning, police said.

According to reports, Maoists fired at six booths in Dantewada and Narayanpur districts. However, there were no reports of any causalities.

The voting will end in Bastar and Kanker seats by 3:00 p.m., while polling stations in the other nine seats will close at 4:00 p.m.

In Orissa, Maoists attacked a polling booth in Andrahill village and set fire to voting machines and a vehicle in Malkangiri district.

The Maoists have called for a complete boycott of the polls in the state. (ANI)