Three jawans of the COBRA battalion of the Central Reserve Police Force were killed and three others injured in an encounter with Naxals in Sukma district of Chhattisgarh on Wednesday.
The CRPF jawans were on their way back -- after escorting officials of the Election Commission to their respective constituencies in the district -- when they were attacked by the Naxals.
Officials said a squad of nearly 100 Naxals surrounded the party from three sides and opened heavy fire.
"The troops were hit on the back. They were killed as they received bullet injuries," said a senior official.
The incident comes at a time when security forces are at maximum alert.
A team of CRPF, state police and commandos is carrying out a 'cordon and search' operation in the area.
"We are aware of every possibility and we will conduct the polls peacefully," a senior security official said.
Bastar Inspector General Arun Dev Gautam said the incident occurred around 10.30 am after the Naxals ambushed the commando patrol party which was moving on foot.
In another incident in the neighbouring district of Bijapur, Maoists carried out two powerful blasts in the morning, injuring two CRPF personnel.
Officials said a patrol squad of the force was on an operational task when two Improvised Explosive Device blasts occurred in the forests of Bijapur near Gangloor village.
"The incident occurred when a Road Opening Party of the paramilitary was on an operation for election-related security in Gangaloor police station area," said Bijapur Superintendent of Police Prashant Agrawal.
"During the operation, the personnel came in contact with a pressure bomb that exploded," he said.
Inspector Resham Lal and constable Pushpraj of the 85 battalion of CRPF were injured in the incident, he said, adding both of them are out of danger.
The Maoist-hit Bastar constituency of Chhattisgarh is the lone seat going to polls in the first phase of parliamentary election in the state on Thursday.