NEW DELHI: Two security personnel were killed and five others injured in an exchange of fire between Maoists and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur on Monday.
The exchange of fire took place in the forest area between Mahadev Ghati and Chinnabodkel in Bijapur between Maoists and troops of the CRPF's 85 Battalion. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit the area later this week on April 14.
As per reports, the CRPF troops, along with Chhattisgarh police, were out for area domination when two improvised explosive device (IED) blasts occurred, followed by a brief exchange of fire.
Today's exchange of fire comes less than ten days after a security force personnel was injured in an IED blast here in Chinnakorepal village of the district.
As per statistics, as many as 47 security personnel have been killed in Chhattisgarh's Maoist-affected Bastar region since 2005.
Among the major incidents in which insurgents targeted the anti-mine vehicles include the killing of 22 CRPF jawans in September 2005 in Bijapur district, when Maoists had reportedly used 200 kg of IED to blow up the vehicle.
(With inputs from agencies)
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