10 policemen killed in Maoist attack in central India

Khaleej Times: NEW DELHI - At least 10 policemen were killed and six injured in two attacks by Maoists in India’s Central Chhattisgarh state on Sunday, police said.

A group of 60 rebels opened fire at an outpost of Chhatisgarh Shashatra Bal (Chhatisgarh Armed Forces) located in Bijapur district, some 500 kilometres south of state capital Raipur.

“The guerrillas, armed with sophisticated weapons launched a massive attack this morning. Six civilians recruited as special police officers and four Chattisgarh Armed Forces personnel were killed in the attack,” said Ram Rattan, a policeman at the Bijapur control room.

Four policemen who were seriously injured were taken to nearby hospitals.

“It was an attack that caught the policemen unawares. While a few scrambled for their weapons in an attempt to return the fire, most of them could just manage to save themselves,” a police officer said on condition of anonymity.

The Maoists also set off a landmine blast in the Dubaiguda village in the same district which injured two Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel.

The Maoists, who are fighting to install Communist rule in the state, have carried out a number of attacks in the state since January. Over 100 tribals and security personnel have been killed in the violence.