Off the wire
• Interview: Russian expert says China's economy promising despite challenges  • MH370 families urged to file claims before two-year deadline  • Advisory: Schedules for NPC, CPPCC annual sessions on March 5  • China to boost parallel imported vehicles  • Commentary: When will China win an Oscar?  • 3rd LD Writethru: DPRK condemns U.N. resolution, threatens retaliation  • Roundup: Slovakia braces for crucial general election  • Chinese leaders confer with political advisors over state governance  • China's finance minister sees ample fiscal policy room  • EC proposes to ratify int'l treaty to fight violence against women  
You are here: 　 Home

2 Indian paramilitary troopers killed, 14 wounded in Naxalite attack in Chhattisgarh

Xinhua, March 4, 2016 Adjust font size:

Two paramilitary troopers of India's Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were killed and 14 others wounded after Naxals attacked them in central state of Chhattisgarh, officials said Friday.

The gunfight broke out inside forests of Sukma district, about 392 km south of Raipur, the capital city of Chhattisgarh.

"In Chhattisgarh, two CRPF men were killed and 14 others wounded after Naxals attacked them in Sukma district last night," an official said. "A joint team of CRPF's specialized jungle warfare unit and District Reserve Group (DRG) was on a search operation in Kistaram area when Maoists ambushed them near Dabbamarka village."

Officials said the joint contingents of CRPF and DRG retaliated to the attack from Naxals.

"The gunfight started Thursday afternoon and continued for more than eight hours," the officials said.

India's official broadcaster All India Radio (AIR) quoting police officials said on Friday that bodies of the slain CRPF personnel could not be brought from the site owning to the remoteness of the forests.

"Efforts are being made to shift the wounded," the broadcaster said. "The condition of seven among the wounded is reported to be critical."

Naxalites are also known as "Maoists."

Maosit insurgency has its genesis in the violent left-wing rebellion that began in 1967 at village Naxalbari in Indian state of West Bengal.

Currently Maoists are active in more than a third of India's 600-odd districts across central and eastern India.

India's former prime minister Manmohan Singh once termed the Naxalite movement as India's "greatest internal security challenge."

New Delhi has deployed several companies of its paramilitary forces to take on Naxals in their strongholds.

Reports said the insurgency has claimed more than 6000 lives and left thousands of poor inhabitants homeless. Endit