Bodies of CRPF personnel killed in Maoist attack being brought to Raipur

Bijapur, May 9 (ANI): Bodies of Central Reserve Police Force personnel, who were killed in a Maoist attack in Bijapur district, were airlifted to Raipur for being given state honours on Sunday.

Eight CRPF personnel of 168 Battalion, including a driver, who were travelling in a TATA 407 bulletproof vehicle from their company headquarters in Murkinal to nearby battalion headquarters, were killed.

The Naxalites triggered the IED blast near Pedakodepal village on National Highway 16 in Bijapur, 284 km from Raipur and fired at the security personnel.

The attack comes about a month after 76 personnel of the CRPF were ambushed by the rebels on April 6 in Dantewada district of the state.

The Maoists claim they are crusading for the poor, marginal farmers, and landless labourers.

They have spread into the rural pockets of 20 of India's 28 states. (ANI)