Naxals ambush CRPF team in Sukma; jawan injured

A CRPF jawan was today injured in a Naxal ambush and IED blast in Chhattisgarh's Sukma district, officials said.

They said Maoists had set up a strong ambushin the jungles of Kondasawli-Jagargunda area in south Bastar district and troops of the 231st battalion of the force got engaged in it when they were undertaking an operation.

A heavy exchange of gunfire took place between the two sides at about 9:30 am followed by an improvised explosive device (IED) blast, they said.

"The Maoist ambush was successfully thwarted and a CRPF jawan suffered splinter injuries on his hand due to the impact of the IED explosion," a senior official said.

The jawan has been evacuated for medical care to the nearby Dantewada district and a search operation is on the area, they said.

The Sukma district of the state is a Naxalite hotbed and nine men of the Central Reserve Police Force were killed and two others injured when Maosits trigerred a landmine blast underneath their armoured vehicle in the district on March 13.

The TCOC (tactical counter offensive campaign) of Naxals, when they launch daring attacks on forces and undertake strategic movements in these areas, is currently on.