Maoist IED blast: CAF constable killed, two others injured

 A Chhattisgarh Armed Force (CAF) constable was killed and two others injured in an IED blast triggered off by Maoists in the insurgency-hit Sukma district today, just ahead of Union Home Affairs Minister Rajnath Singh's visit scheduled for tomorrow.

The explosion occurred while a CAF team was patrolling near Dharampenta village under Kistaram police station limits to ensure security of an under construction culvert, Sukma Superintendent of Police D Shrawan told PTI.

When the security forces were cordoning off the construction site, located nearly 450 kms away from here on Konta-Kistaram route in the extreme south Bastar, naxals triggered the explosion leaving three jawans injured, the SP said.

Subsequently firing broke out between security forces and rebels which lasted for a short period following which naxals fled into the dense forests, the SP added.

"Constable Suman Tirki, belonging to III battalion of CAF, succumbed to his grievous injuries during treatment," the SP said.

The other injured constables namely Suleman Khakha and Anand Minj, of the same battalion, were shifted by helicopter to Raipur for treatment, he said.

Meanwhile, a combing operation has been launched in the region to nab the attackers.
The Home minister will arrive at Raipur tomorrow afternoon for his two-day visit to Chhattisgarh.

During the tour, Singh will also visit Sukma to inaugurate a newly built fortified police station at Dornapal.