15 killed as Naxals strike in Eastern India’s Chattisgarh

World Today

Two attacks by Naxals in eastern India’s Chattisgarh has killed 15 people even as voting continues in the general elections.

The first blast took place in a bus carrying election officials and the second one had central police reserve force personnel traveling in an ambulance. The soldiers were traveling in an ambulance to conceal their identity. Both the attacks took place within an hour of each other.

The attack took place in Naxal infested Bijapur district and Darbha area of Chattisgarh. Many who were critically injured were airlifted to a nearby town.

The officials said there has been a change in Naxal tactics. Earlier the attacks happened before polls with the intention of disrupting the election process but this time the attack was after polls. Reports suggest that forces were warned about a possible Naxal attack but the bus carrying polling officers did not have any security forces. Incidentally after most Naxal attacks, the Naxals take weapons from dead CRPF officials but this time the weapons were intact.

Naxals have been doing frequent attacks for over a decade now in India’s red belt where they campaign for the areas poor to have a greater share of natural resources from the area.

15 killed as Naxals strike in Eastern India's Chattisgarh

Two attacks by Naxals in eastern India's Chattisgarh has killed 15 people even as voting continues in the general elections.

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