Chhattisgarh: IAF chopper hit by Naxals flies from jungles

It took off from Temelwada in the district and reached Jagdalpur after it was cleared for flying following detailed inspections and repairs by Indian Air Force technicians and engineers. The Mi-17 helicopter, carrying seven personnel onboard, was on a casualty evacuation mission from Jagdalpur to retrieve some personnel of CAF from the forests of Sukma district when it was shot on the evening of January 18.

Security sources claimed it suffered more than 15 bullet hits in its hydraulic oil and fuel tank and a detailed report would be prepared by the IAF.

The helicopter, which had seven persons on-board, was fired when it was descending to pick up an injured jawan of the CAF which was conducting a road-opening operation along with CRPF.

Commandos of the CRPF have since been guarding it round- the-clock and the squad retreated today after the chopper took off.