Raipur:
Twenty six CRPF jawans have been killed and seven injured in what is being seen as another major Naxal attack in Chhattisgarh.
Sources said at least 90 Maoists ambushed a 63-strong CRPF road-opening party in an area under Dhaurai police station, 3 km from the CRPF camp in Narayanpur district of the state, at about 3 pm on Tuesday.
The CRPF men from 39 Battalion, E and F company, were securing the area ahead of a two-day Naxal-sponsored bandh starting tomorrow.
Home Secretary GK Pillai says that the injured have been evacuated. (
Watch: Injured have been evacuated, says Home Secretary)
IAF helicopters would be used bring back the dead early on Wednesday morning, sources said.
In the country's worst Maoist attack ever, at least 75 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and a state police personnel were killed in an ambush on On April 6, in the thick Mukrana forests of Chhattisgarh's Dantewada district. (
Read: 76 security men killed by Naxals in Chhattisgarh)
Barely a month after the deadly attack on the CRPF, Naxals triggered a bus blast on May 17 in Dantewada in which 31 people were killed, mostly civilians. (
Read: Dantewada bus blast toll 31, PM to review Naxal strategy)