85 Indian security personnel killed by left-wing rebels

English.news.cn 2010-04-06 23:50:04
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2010-04/06/c_13239820.htm

RAIPUR, India, April 6 (Xinhua) -- The death number of Indian security personnel killed by left-wing Naxal rebels Tuesday attained 85 as more bodies were retrieved from the battleground and some injured succumbed to their injuries, said a police spokesman here late Tuesday.

The rebels staged an ambush against the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel in Dantewada district of Chhatisgarh. The dead included CRPF personnel from the 62nd battalion and one Chhattisgarh state police officer.

The Naxals attacked the vehicles of security personnel between Chintalnar and Tademetla area. They first triggered a landmine blast and the moment the vehicle stopped, the rebels ambushed the CRPF team from a hill top, Chhattisgarh Police spokesperson RK VIJ said

CRPF Director General Vikram Srivastava, who rushed from the national capital to the scene, said "the CRPF men were in the forests for operational duty when the Naxals attacked. It is very tragic and sad."

The CRPF team had been camping in the interiors of Tarmetla jungles for the last three days as part of a combing operation and area domination exercise.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who chaired an emergency security meeting with his cabinet officials, described this as "a horrific incident".