2nd LD Writethru: 7 policemen killed by left-wing rebels in India
Xinhua, April 12, 2015 Adjust font size:
Seven policemen were killed Saturday and more than 10 others injured in a gun battle with left- wing rebels in the central Indian state of Chhattisgarh, said police.
The fighting took place in a rebel-infested remote area of the state of Bastari, when some police personnel were on a hunting operation against the Naxalite rebels.
"Seven of our troops have been martyred while at least ten injured in the encounter," Additional Director General of Police R. K. Vij told the media.
The encounter took place at Pidmal village between Dornapal and Chintagufa when the rebels tried to attack the security personnel, said Vij.
Security forces retaliated but the number of casualties on the rebel side was not known as they often took the bodies of the dead away into the jungle hideout.
The rebels are believed to be starting some aggressive actions against security forces as the summer season has begun, said local media.
The Naxalite rebels are estimated to total some 10,000 and are active in about 10 states in central and eastern India, mostly in poor rural areas. Endi