17 cops injured in landmine blast

Even as security apparatus is gearing for next month’s Assembly elections, 17 personnel of the Chhattisgarh Armed Force (CAF) and district police had a miraculous escape on Friday when a powerful landmine blast triggered by the Maoist rebels missed the target near Gudumkodo village in Naxal-infested Narayanpur district in Bastar region of Chhattisgarh. However, almost all the security personnel sustained minor injuries.

Inspector General of Police (Bastar range) A N Upadhyaya said the security personnel were returning to district headquarters at Narayanpur when the rebels made an attempt to blow up their vehicle. The blast missed the target, as the explosion took place 10 feet away from the vehicle. He added that the security personnel have been admitted to the district hospital.

These security personnel were returning from Benur after night patrolling, which has been intensified in all Naxal-infested areas in view of the forthcoming Assembly polls scheduled for November 14. A massive security cover is being provided in all Naxal areas, particularly in Bastar, where the rebels have given a call for boycott of elections.

Out of the 10 districts where Assembly polls are scheduled for the first phase, Maoists have a strong presence in Bastar, Dantewara, Bijapur, Narayanpur, Kanker and Rajnandgaon districts.