15 CRPF personnel killed in Naxal attack in Maharashtra

Gadchiroli, March 27, 2012

http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/other-states/article3250566.ece?homepage=true

At least 15 CRPF personnel were killed on Tuesday in a landmine blast triggered by suspected Naxalites in Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra.

The troops were reportedly travelling in a bus from Pushtola to Gatta on operational duty when the blast took place, killing them on the spot, CRPF officials said.

CRPF chief K. Vijay Kumar is on a tour of Maharashtra and was in Gadchiroli area after he started from Nagpur on Tuesday morning, they said, adding he was now on his way to the attack site.

The CRPF officials said the number of dead and injured could increase given the intensity of the blast and a reinforcement team has been rushed to the area. The troops belonging to the 192nd Battalion of the force had been deployed in the area.

According to police in Nagpur, several other jawans were injured when the Naxalites blew up the bus carrying troops. Preliminary reports received in the office of IG (Operations) Sunil Ramanand said the incident occurred near Pustola village on Karwafa-Fulbodi Gutta road, about 4 km from Gadchiroli, around noon. Combing of the area has already begun, they said.

In Mumbai, where the State legislature is in session, Home Minister R.R. Patil is expected to make a statement in the Assembly on the attack.“I am gathering information and will make a statement in the House,” Patil told reporters.