At least 14 people, including poll officials and CRPF troops were killed in two Maoist attacks in Chhattisgarh on Saturday.
The first attack took place in Bijapur district where at least seven poll officials were killed after the bus they were travelling in was hit by a landmine blast. The driver and helper of the bus were also killed, three others were injured.
A police official said that around 75-100 Naxals were involved in the ambush on the polling party. The rebels fled to the core forest after security personnel launched a retaliatory attack.
CRPF Inspector General (Operations) in Chhattisgarh H S Sidhu said that they are still investigating the incident but the troops’ decision to board the ambulance has surprised them.
A Court of Inquiry has now been initiated into the incident.
The second attack took place less than an hour later and 160 km away in Bijapur, where another IED blast by the Naxals blew up the bus in which the poll officials were returning. Five poll officials, the bus driver and its cleaner were killed while three others were injured.