Two Border Security Force (BSF) troopers were killed and one was seriously injured in a Maoist attack in Chhattisgarh’s Kanker district on Sunday, officials said.
The BSF personnel, who lost his life, were identified as Lokendra Singh from Rajasthan and Mukhtiyar Singh of Punjab. The injured trooper, Sandeep, has been admitted to a hospital.
“A BSF patrol party was attacked by the Maoists following which there was a gun battle,” said Kanker Superintendent of Police K.L. Dhruv.
The exchange of fire lasted for about an hour in which the two BSF personnel were killed.
The gunfight took place in a forest near Mahla camp of BSF under Partapaur police station limits when a team of BSF’s 114th battalion was returning after carrying out an anti-Maoist operation, Deputy Inspector General of Police (Anti-Naxal Operations) Sundarraj P told PTI.
When the patrolling team was advancing through forest of Barkot village, located around 250 km from the state capital Raipur, it came under heavy fire from a group of Naxals leading to the gun-battle between the two sides, he said.
After a brief exchange of fire, the ultras fled into core forest, he said.
Reinforcement was rushed to the spot and the bodies of the deceased were brought to the headquarter of BSF’s 114 battalion in Pakhanjore, he said.
(With agency inputs)