CRPF Asst Comdt Dies In Naxal Ambush

Bijapur (Chhattisgarh), Feb 12: A CRPF officer was martyred and a constable injured on Saturday during a heavy exchange of fire that followed a Maoist ambush on a road-security team near Dongal Chinta nullah that lies ahead of Putkel village in Basaguda Police Station of this district within Left-wing extremism-affected Bastar division, police said.

Assistant Commandant Shanti Bhushan Tirkey’s corpse was conveyed by helicopter to Jagdalpur for autopsy at the Medical College Hospital following which the mortal remains will be sent to the native village.

At about 0930 hrs, rebel bullets rained on personnel of the 168th Battalion’s F Company. The team took up positions and returned fire resulting in a fierce gun battle. The officer fell fighting during the encounter even as Const Apparao was hurt. He was flown to Jagdalpur and admitted at a private infirmary. Reinforcements were rushed to the scene and a search operation was underway in the surrounding area when reports last came in.