Four CRPF jawans martyred, two others injured in encounter with Maoists in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur

Four Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawans attained martyrdom in a fierce encounter with Maoists in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district on Saturday. According to media reports, two jawans were also injured. The Maoists blew up an anti-landmine vehicle in the poll-bound state. 

The incident occurred around 4 pm near Murdanda camp of the CRPF under Awapalli police station, when its 168th battalion was out on "area domination" operation, Bijapur Superintendent of Police Mohit Garg told PTI.

"When the MPV carrying six personnel was around one km away from the camp, ultras triggered a powerful landmine blast", he said.

Reinforcement was rushed to the spot immediately and the injured personnel were being evacuated, the official said, adding they were retrieving the bodies from the site.

More details are awaited.

Read: Three Indian Soldiers Martyred In Sunderbani Encounter; Two Pakistani Intruders Gunned Down

The attack took place on a day when Chief Minister Raman Singh launched the ruling BJP's campaign for the first phase of polls on November 12 in neighbouring Sukma district.

The first phase of election will cover 18 constituencies in eight Maoist-affected districts of:

• Bastar
• Kanker
• Sukma
• Bijapur
• Dantewada
• Narayanpur
• Kondagaon
• Rajnandgaon

Maoists had recently put up posters in parts of Bastar region calling for a boycott of the polls. 

(With inputs from PTI)