Four security personnel were killed while another was injured seriously in two separate insurgency-related incidents in Bastar division, police said on Sunday.
In the first incident, suspected Maoist insurgents attacked Akashwani and Doordarshan Centre located on National Highway 16 at village Bade Marenga, around 13 km away from divisional headquarters Jagdalpur, and killed 3 CAF jawans besides injuring another who was shifted to Raipur after initial treatment at Medical College Hospital Jagdalpur. The incident occurred around 2 am Saturday night. In another incident, Maoist insurgents fired at Chhattisgarh Armed Forces Camp located at Sukma in which a jawan was killed.
According to Bastar Superintendent of Police Mayank Shrivastava, on Saturday night around 2 am, five to six Maoist insurgents reportedly entered the premises of Akashwani Kendra by removing the fencing wire.
First of all they fired at Alexander Ekka, the constable posted on sentry duty, He died on the spot. Thereafter, the insurgents entered the relay centre and sprayed bullets on constables sitting there.
Two of the cops Silwani Ekka and Basudeo died instantly whereas constable Mazhar was critically injured. After hearing the gun shots inside Akashwani Centre, someone informed Parpa Thana from where a police team rushed to the Akashwani Centre and challenged the insurgents present inside.
After sensing danger outside, the insurgents fled towards the jungle firing indiscriminately. They were however not able to take away any arms belonging to the slain cops. later, Bastar Inspector General of Police Himanshu Gupta also reached the incident site and thoroughly enquired about the incident.
In another incident, Maoist insurgents on Sunday morning started firing indiscriminately on the Chhattisgarh Armed Forces Camp located at Temelwada in Sukma district. In the firing, jawan of CAF 11th Battalion Samaylal Kanwar was killed.
According to police sources Sunday early morning while the CAF jawans were freshening at the hand pump located on the campus, Maoist insurgents hiding in bushes started firing on them. The CAF Jawans also immediately took the position and returned the fire but one of the jawans fell to the bullets of the insurgents.
Meanwhile, CM Dr Raman Singh criticised the attack on the Jagdalpur Door Darshan Kendra terming it as an act of cowardice and directed the district administration to strengthen the security at Doordarshan Kendra. He also expressed grief on the death of jawans.
Chhattisgarh Director General of Police Ram Niwas in his reaction said Maoist modules are still present in urban areas of the state and need to be dealt with heavy hands.