13 killed in two Maoist attacks in Chhattisgarh

Raipur, April 12 :

At least 13 people, including polling officials and security personnel, were killed Saturday when their vehicles were blown up in two separate Maoist attacks in Chhattisgarh, officials said.

The Maoists struck just two days after polling got over in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar Lok Sabha constituency.

A bus in which 12 polling officials were returning after ballotting Thursday in Bijapur district, about 450 km from here, was blown to bits by a Maoist landmine. Six polling officials were killed on the spot and six others injured, of whom one died of his injuries later.

The attack took place around noon near Ketulnar village.

The second attack also took place around noon in Bastar district, targeting five Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) troopers – part of the 80th Bn’s road opening party – travelling in an ambulance.

The ambulance was blown up in a landmine blast in Darbha valley, which is about 350 km from here. The five troopers and the ambulance driver were killed.

On Thursday, over half of the electorate in Bastar Lok Sabha constituency voted as two troopers were injured in a gunbattle with Maoists while they were escorting a polling party.

Balloting takes place in three constituencies of Chhattisgarh April 17 while seven seats will see voting April 24.

(IANS)