Congress leader Mahendra Karma, 17 other killed in attack by alleged Maoists

The state Congress chief Nand Kumar Patel is missing and there are fears that he might have been abducted. According to some reports Mr Patel's son who was kidnapped with him has been released. A former legislator Uday Muduliar is among those killed.

The suspected Naxals attacked a Congress rally in Dharba Valley of Chhattisgarh's Sukma district. The police said a convoy of cars carrying top Congress leaders of the state was headed to Jagdalpur when there was a landmine blast, followed by heavy firing. (Read: Mahendra Karma reportedly shot in cold blood by alleged Maoists)

Chhattisgarh government has ordered a judicial probe. Chief Minister Raman Singh has asked for an air ambulance to transport Mr Shukla, a former Union Minister, to the state capital Raipur. Mr Shukla reportedly has bullet wounds in his abdomen.  The air ambulance is expected to reach Raipur at 3am.

There are protests against the attack in Raipur. The Congress in the state has met the Governor and requested that the B JP government in the state be sacked. The Congress has alleged that the BJP government of Raman Singh did not provide adequate security for the Congress rally.

The BJP which rules Chhattisgarh, condemned the attack and said all should rise above party politics to fight terror with a heavy hand. (Read more)

Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi is headed to Chhattisgarh with BK Hariprasad, Congress in charge for the state. Dr Manmohan Singh and Sonia Gandhi are slated to leave later today. Late Saturday evening Mrs Gandhi and Rahul attended a meeting at the 7 Race Course Road residence of the PM.

Emerging from the meeting Mrs Gandhi said, "We are shocked and pained by what has happened.  Our hearts go out to our colleagues. It is an attack on democracy and it is despicable that people engaged in political activity should be attacked." (Read: Sonia Gandhi condemns alleged attack as 'despicable.' )

The PM too has condemned the attack and has spoken to the Chhattisgarh CM.

Mahendra Karma was a local tribal leader, who spearheaded the controversial anti-Naxalite movement - Salwa Judum. He had served as the state's home minister when the Congress was in power. He had Z plus security, which meant that at least 30 policeman guarded him.

Assembly elections are scheduled in Chhattisgarh later this year.