10 Indian paramilitary commandos, 3 Naxals killed in Bihar attack

At least 10 paramilitary commandos of India's Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were killed and five others wounded after Naxals attacked them in eastern Indian state of Bihar, officials said Tuesday.

The Naxals ambushed the CRPF men Monday night triggering a series of blasts at Sondaha forest area bordering Gaya and Aurangabad districts, about 172 km south of Patna city, the capital of Bihar.

Officials said three Naxals were killed in gunfight with the CRPF personnel in the area.

"Eight personnel were killed on the spot and two others died while being evacuated from the spot," an official said. "Five others wounded in the attack were hospitalised."

Reports said the paramilitary troopers belonged to the elite COBRA battalion of CRPF and were lured into the forest area. However, officials said the commandos were assisting another team that was searching part of the forest area following specific information about presence of Naxals there.

Authorities have rushed reinforcements to the forest area to take on Naxals and carry out searches.

Indian Home Minister Rajnath Singh spoke to Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar Tuesday morning and assured him of federal government's support. Singh has also asked the CRPF chief to visit the spot and assess the situation.

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.

The insurgency so far has claimed more than 6,000 lives and rendered thousands of poor inhabitants homeless. Endit