A BJP convoy has been attacked by Maoists in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada BJP legislator from Dantewada Bhima Mandavi, was also in the convoy, has been shot dead. A gunfight with the Maoists is still on.
Photographs show the blast was set-off through an Improvised Explosive Device that was buried on the road. The blast had ripped apart the vehicle in which the lawmaker was travelling
Five people died instantly -- most of them security personnel accompanying the lawmaker.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has condemned the attack. "Strongly condemn the Maoist attack in Chhattisgarh. My tributes to the security personnel who were martyred. The sacrifices of these martyrs will not go in vain," he tweeted. PM also condoled Bhima Mandavi's death in a separate tweet.
Sources said when the surviving people tried to come out of the car, the Maoists, who were hidden nearby, opened fire. The gunfight that followed is still on, sources said.
Here are the updates on the Maoist attack in Chhattisgarh:
Dantewada Maoist Attack: Bulletproof SUV Split Into 2 In Dantewada Maoist Attack On BJP ConvoyWith barely 48 hours remaining for the first phase of voting in the national election, BJP lawmaker from Dantewada Bhima Mandavi had wrapped up campaigning for the day and was travelling in a three-car convoy from Bacheli to Kuwakonda in the Maoist-hit district in Chhattisgarh."
Dantewada blast | The armoured vehicle overturned, split into two due to the IED blast, leaving a large crater on the road
- NDTV (@ndtv) April 9, 2019
20 kilos of explosive were likely used in the Maoist attack pic.twitter.com/NQfomi6Mxp
Strongly condemn the Maoist attack in Chhattisgarh. My tributes to the security personnel who were martyred. The sacrifices of these martyrs will not go in vain.
- Chowkidar Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 9, 2019
Shri Bhima Mandavi was a dedicated Karyakarta of the BJP. Diligent and courageous, he assiduously served the people of Chhattisgarh. His demise is deeply anguishing. Condolences to his family and supporters. Om Shanti.
- Chowkidar Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 9, 2019
Priority is attending to injured. The MLA's car was targeted. It was a very powerful IED, the impact can be assesed by the large crater on the road. There is no mobile network at spot, will get back with detailed information
