Chhattisgarh: Maoists kill 23 CRPF jawans

At least 23 Central Reserve Police Force personnel were killed in a powerful landmine blast triggered by Naxals in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur police district, Chief Minister Raman Singh said in Raipur on Sunday.

While bodies of 16 personnel have been recovered, seven are still trapped in the anti-landmine vehicle which was blown up on Saturday evening by the ultras near Padeda village, about 12 kms from Bijapur, he said.

The deceased included 21 personnel of the 87th battalion of CRPF while two others belonged to the district force of Bijapur police.

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The injured have been airlifted to Raipur in a serious condition, he said. The Director General of Police has already reached the spot, Singh added.

Four CRPF personnel, including Commander B K Toppo, were injured in the incident, the chief minister said adding that one jawan succumbed to injuries at a Bijapur hospital.

The three survivors, who were airlifted to the state capital, have been admitted to the Raipur Medical College hospital.

After meeting the injured at the hospital, Home Minister Ram Vichar Netam flew  o Bijapur district to assess the situation, official sources said.