Two security personnel injured in naxal attack on poll parties

RAIPUR: A deputy commandant of CRPF and a BSF jawan were injured in separate naxal attacks on polling parties in Maoist-affected Bastar region, police said.

The incidents took place in Sukma and Kanker districts of Bastar division when the polling parties were returning to the district headquarters after elections in the respective regions early this morning, a senior police official said.

The Deputy Commandant of CRPF 150 battalion was shot in his legs when naxals opened indiscriminate firing on the polling party accompanied with security forces in Temelwada forest under Chintagufa police station limits of south Bastar, the official added.

Soon after, additional forces were rushed to the spot and a helicopter has also been sent to airlift the injured officer, he said.

In a separate incident, a BSF jawan was injured in a landmine blast triggered by naxals near Gondahur village under Pakhanjore police station limits of Kanker district, he said.

The paramilitary forces were opening the road for the movement of buses in Gondahur village bringing back polling parties when naxals triggered a high intensity blast leaving a BSF jawan injured, he said.

However, the polling parties are safe. After administering first aid at a local health centre, the injured jawan was airlifted to Raipur for further treatment.