Manhunt for Indian Maoists as ambush kills 26 police
Thursday, 1 July 2010
RAIPUR, India, June 30 (AFP): Paramilitary commandos in central India launched an operation Wednesday to flush out a group of Maoist rebels who killed 26 police officers in a jungle ambush.
"The security forces have entered the jungle on a manhunt for the outlawed Maoist commanders and rebels," said Ram Niwas, the head of anti-Maoist operations in Chhattisgarh state.
Tuesday's ambush was the third major rebel attack on security personnel in Chhattisgarh in as many months.
The police officers were returning from a road-opening ceremony when they were ambushed by as many as 100 Maoist fighters who opened fire with automatic weapons from a hilltop, officials said.
A total of 26 officers were killed in a three-hour gun battle.
The government launched a major offensive last year to tackle the worsening left-wing insurgency, but since then the Maoists have hit back -- triggering widespread criticism of officials and politicians.
"The security forces have entered the jungle on a manhunt for the outlawed Maoist commanders and rebels," said Ram Niwas, the head of anti-Maoist operations in Chhattisgarh state.
Tuesday's ambush was the third major rebel attack on security personnel in Chhattisgarh in as many months.
The police officers were returning from a road-opening ceremony when they were ambushed by as many as 100 Maoist fighters who opened fire with automatic weapons from a hilltop, officials said.
A total of 26 officers were killed in a three-hour gun battle.
The government launched a major offensive last year to tackle the worsening left-wing insurgency, but since then the Maoists have hit back -- triggering widespread criticism of officials and politicians.