Raipur:
At least 11 policemen were reported killed today in an attack by Naxals in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district, officials said.
A police team was ambushed by the Maoists in the Metlaperu village forests of the Bhadrakali police station area in the district this evening.
Naxal operation Additional Director General (ADG) Ramnivas confirmed by phone the reports that at least 11 policemen were dead as a result of the attacks.
Two teams of security personnel from Bhadrakali and Bhopalpatnam police stations were sent to patrol. One of the them comprised Central Reserve Police Force and district police personnel, while the other team consisted of Chhattisgarh Armed Police members, Ramnivas said.
The Chhattisgarh Armed Police squad came under heavy fire from the Naxals in Metlaperu jungles. Three jawans were also reportedly injured in the attack, the ADG said, adding that additional security force has been dispatched to the site.
Exact casualties will be known only when the additional policemen arrive at the ambush spot, Ramnivas said.
A helicopter has been requesitioned to evacuate the injured, the senior official stated.