In their third strike within 72 hours, Maoists blew up an Anti-Landmine Vehicle of the Chhattisgarh police, killing five jawans in Dantewada district on Monday.
“Maoists targeted an Anti-Landmine Vehicle which was on a search operation near Khudiyapara village of Dantewada around 2.30 p.m. on Monday. The vehicle was carrying 12 jawans of the CAF (Chhattisgarh Armed Force) and the district police, including the driver. Dantewada SP reached the spot immediately after the encounter and rushed the injured jawans to Kirandul hospital. However, four jawans died in the hospital,” said a statement issued by the Chhattisgarh police headquarters in Raipur.
Another jawan succumbed to injuries while being taken to Jagdalpur for treatment, taking the toll to five. Seven jawans were injured, an officer posted in Bastar said.