Five CRPF personnel killed in landmine blast by Naxals

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Five CRPF personnel were killed and three injured on Tuesday when Naxals blew up a vehicle in a landmine attack in Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh.

Commander of CRPF's 2nd battalion Arvind Rai was travelling with the jawans from Kerlapal to Sukma in Dantewada district, 280 kms from here, when the Naxals set off the landmine blast, Additional Director General of Police Ramniwas said.

The explosion damaged the vehicle, which was following Rai's vehicle, killing the five jawans on the spot.

Additional forces have been rushed to the site and efforts are on to evacuate the injured and admit them to Jagdalpur hospital, he said.

The officer said that the Supreme Court had directed withdrawal of jawans from schools in Naxal-hit areas and Rai had gone to Kerlapal in connection with the setting up of the new barrack. He was returning from the visit when the attack occurred.

Security forces have intensified combing operations in the area after the attack, he said.