Three homeguards and an assistant sub-inspector of Jharkhand Police were killed in a Naxal attack in Latehar district on Friday, officials said, according to PTI.
PTI reported that those killed in the ambush were identified as Assistant Sub-Inspector Sukra Oraon and three homeguards Sikander Singh, Jamuna Prasad and Sambhu Prasad, according to the police.
The attack by armed Naxals happened about 8:30 pm when the police party was on-board a four-wheeler near Lukiatand village under Chandwa police station area, they said.
The Maoists are reported to have sprung a surprise attack on the police personnel who were on patrol duty. "Our police party was ambushed and three casualties occurred," Additional Director General of Police Murari Lal Meena said.
The police were ascertaining which Naxal group was involved in the ambush, according to PTI.
Jharkhand CM Condoles Deaths
Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das condemned the attack and expressed grief over the deaths.
"The attack on the brave jawans in Latehar is an act of cowardice. I strongly condemn this ghastly act. The sacrifice of our brave jawans will not go in vain. The whole of Jharkhand and the entire nation is behind the family members of the martyrs," the chief minister tweeted in Hindi.
In the aftermath of the Naxal attack on police officials in the state, the Election Commission has appointed former IPS officer M K Das as special police observer for Jharkhand Assembly elections, Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora said on Friday, according to PTI.
He said Das will reach Jharkhand on Saturday to take up his new responsibility.
(With inputs from PTI.)
(This is a developing story. More updates will be added).
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