SAF constable killed, eight injured in naxalite ambush

CHHATTISGARH, June 17 (UNI) A special Armed Force (SAF) constable was killed and eight others injured when naxalites ambushed their vehicle near Turapani hills, about 70 K from here, in Korya district late last night, police said today.

Police said the naxalites belonging to the Communist Party of India (Maoists), about 50 in number, fired at the police bus, which was on its way to Ramgarh police out post to relieve those who were there on duty.

The naxalites shot on the tyres of the bus to bring it to a halt and opened fire at the SAF personnel.

An SAF constable Jhallu Ram Newre was killed in the naxalite firing while nine other constables sustained bullet injuries in the encounter.

Police said the encounter continued for several hours and the 34- member SAF team put up tough resistance against the naxalite attack.

Meanwhile official sources said additional reinforcement of police reached the spot only early in the morning and all the nine injured were rushed to the Korya district hospital.

Six of the seriously injured where being shifted to the Apollo hospital at Bilaspur.

This is the first ever incident of naxalite attack in Korya district, which has its borders with Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.

For the last several years, CPI (Maoists) are active in neighbouring Sarguja district, adjoining Jharkhand.