Sukma,Nov.13 : In a major setback to the Maoists, who had earlier threatened to carry out violence during the election in Chhattisgarh and urged the people to refrain from voting, seven of them were killed this evening.
According to Special DG Operations DM Awasthi, seven Maoists were killed in two separate encounters by the security forces in Sukma and Bijapur. While two were killed in Sukma, the rest five were killed in a forest near Bijapur.
Awasthi said that the encounter between the red rebels and COBRA security personnel took place near Bijapur while the jawans were returning after the election duty.
As many as five security personnel were injured in the exchange of fire. However, they were rushed to the hospital immediately and are now out of danger.
Two rifles were also recovered by the jawans from the spot.
Following the encounters, more jawans were roped-in to the spots to intensify combing operations in the areas.
On the other hand, the first phase election in 18 constituencies of eight Maoist-affected districts of Chhattisgarh ended peacefully today.
Prasanta Patnaik