Nine policemen killed in Naxal attack in Chhattisgarh

RAIPUR: Nine policemen, including the Additional Superintendent of Chhattisgarh's Gariabandh district, were killed in a landmine blast triggered by Naxals in a jungle close to the border with Orissa.

A hunt is on for a missing policeman.

Senior police officials today said that a 10-member police team led by ASP Rajesh Pawar was sent to Amamora and Sonabed jungle on Monday following reports of Maoists movement in the area.

When the police team was returning on Monday evening, their vehicle broke down following which they boarded a tractor. The Maoists then triggered a landmine blast in which the tractor was blown up. Nine policemen were killed in the attack, the officials said.

After contact with the team was lost, the Chhattisgarh police rushed a big team of CRPF and STF to the area.