India: Three security personnel killed, 14 injured during encounter in Maoist-hit Chhattisgarh state

At least threesecurity personnel werekilled and 14 injured in Chhattisgarh, an Indianstate hit with Maoist-stoked violence, on Tuesday (January 30) in an encounter. The encounter took place at Jonaguda & Aliguda at Bijapur- Sukma border in the state.

P Sundarraj, Inspector General of Bastar, has told news agency ANI that the encounter broke out at the same place where 23 security personnel were killed in the year 2021.

Initial reports in the media saidthat the injured security personnel have been airlifted and were being transferred to hospital.

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There was no immediate indication from government or from other official sources as forhow long the encounter went on.

The clash with Maoistserupted while India's CoBRA commandos were working to set up a Forward Operating Base (FOB).

The Times of India has cited officials to say that 201st Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) was in the area when exchange of fire took place.

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The injured security personnel are in stable condition and some of them are receiving treatment in Raipur.

As reported by the Press Trust of India (PTI) the security personnel were acting on a tip-off and a joint team had launched search operation in the area.

Personnel of the District Reserve Guard and Bastar Fighters — both units of state police, along with a CRPF battalion took part in the operation.

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As the team cordoned the area where a tip-off about Maoist presence had been received from, the Moaists opened fire and even used barrel grenade launchers.

The security personnel returned fire and the Maoists fled the area. PTI cited officials to say that several Maoists may have been injured.

(With inputs from agencies)