Congress leader's security guard attacked by Naxals

A constable deployed for the security of a Chhattisgarh Congress leader was today injured in an attack by Naxals who also looted his AK-47 rifle in Dantewada district, police said.
The Congress leader, Avdhesh Gautam, was not present at the time of the attack which took place at around noon, they said.
The incident took place at the weekly market in Nakulnar village, around 20km from Dantewada town, Deputy Inspector General of Police (South Bastar Range) Sundarraj P told PTI.
The injured has been identified as constable Divyakant Markam, who belongs to the District Force. He is part of the security detail of Gautam, a resident of Nakulnar, located around 340km from the state capital, he said.

As per preliminary information, Markam, along with three other security guards, had gone to the market, held opposite their quarters, for procuring ration.
They were carrying their weapons. Suddenly, two-three Naxals, dressed as civilians, attacked Markam with a sharp- edged weapon, injuring him close to his face, Sundarraj said.

Before the other jawans could retaliate, the ultras escaped with Markam's service weapon, an AK-47 rifle, the DIG said.
The armed jawans did not fire at the Naxals to avoid any possible civilian casualty at the market, where a large number of villagers were present, the IPS officer said.
However, police have launched an operation in the area to trace the attackers, Sundarraj added.

The injured constable was admitted to a local hospital where his condition was said to be stable, he said.
In 2010, Maoists had attacked the house of Gautam, a Pradesh Congress Committee delegate, in Nakulnar, killing two persons, including his brother-in-law.