One policeman was killed and 19 others were injured after a vehicle of the C-60 commandos came under a landmine attack allegedly by Naxals in Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra on Wednesday.
"We are getting some preliminary reports that the troops, caught in the blast, belong to the C-60 force of the Maharashtra Police that conducts anti-Naxal operations,” a senior official said.
Officials said the incident took place in the evening near Bhamragad in the district when a patrol party of the C-60 commandos, was crossing the area.
The team of security force personnel had been conducting operations in the area. Earlier on Wednesday, a CRPF jawan and two Maharashtra Police personnel were injured in an exchange of fire with the Naxals, the officer said.
CM Condoles Death of Jawan
Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis condoled the killing of the jawan in the landmine attack..
The chief minister said:
State Government firmly stands with their family. All required help and support will be provided
Naxals Kill Man in Chhattisgarh
In a separate incident on 4 May, a man was allegedly killed by Naxals in Kondagaon, Chhattisgarh on suspicion of being a police informer.
The CRPF and the police apprehended four suspected naxals, including one juvenile, in Chattisgarh – in connection with the 24 April Naxal attack in Sukma.
Arms, Ammunition Seized in Jharkhand
Thursday also saw security forces recovering a cache of over a dozen arms and more than 3,000 rounds of ammunition as part of an anti-Naxal operation in Jharkhand's Lohardaga district.
Officials said a joint operation was launched by the CRPF and state police in the district after which a light machine gun (LMG), a semi-automatic US made rifle, an AK-47, a self loading rifle (SLR), three INSAS rifles, six other guns and some communication gadgets were seized from a hideout.
Over 3,000 bullets of different calibre and magazine pouches were also seized by the team, they said. The operation is being conducted by the 158th battalion of the CRPF and district police and it is still on, they added.
(With inputs from agencies)
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