Sukma clash toll rises to three, injured security man dies

Another injured security personnel died having received gunshot wounds during an exchange of fire with Maoists in Sukma district of Chhattisgarh on Saturday, taking the toll in the incident to three, the state police said on Sunday.

In the gun battle the police claimed to have inflicted heavy losses on the Maoists, killing 10 to 15 of them.

Among the Maoist casualties reportedly is "section commander" Korsa Mahesh, who would disguise himself as a police officer. A self-loading rifle (SLR) was recovered from his possession.

Bastar Range Inspector General of Police Vivekanand Sinha and Deputy Inspector General of Police P. Sundarraj told the media that in the shootout, two District Reserve Group (DRG) personnel had died on Saturday and five were injured. One of them died later.

After giving the slain DRG personnel a guard of honour in Sukma, their bodies have been sent to their respective villages, according to the police officers.

As the injured police personnel could not be airlifted for treatment due to inclement weather, they were being treated in Chintagufa Health Centre, they said.

--IANS

hindi-nir/vt