Two CRPF commandos were killed while over a dozen injured in multiple encounters between security forces and Naxals on Thursday in Chhattisgarh's worst Maoist violence-affected Sukma district.
Officials said while the two commandos succumbed to bullet injuries, at least 14 others including team leader and Commandant PS Yadav were injured.
The others who sustained bullet and splinter injuries include Assistant Commandant Yogendra, Sub-Inspector Rajveer Singh, Head constable Santosh and Constable Sona Ram.
They said the patrol team encountered multiple ambushes and fire fights beginning 12.30 Ppm and some teams of the squad,till late night, were still engaging in intermittent gunfire with Naxals in the area.
The incident involves personnel of CRPF's exclusive jungle warfare unit CoBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action) with the first encounter with Maoists occurring in the jungles of Dabb-anarka of Sukma in Bastar area.
While Singh was hit first in the exchange of fire, the others were injured in the later part of the operation. The officials said the men belonged to the 208th CoBRA battalion and have been air evacuated and sent to a hospital.