India

Chhattisgarh: Maoists open fire at IAF rescue chopper

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HY05NAXAL

New Delhi: A gunner of the Indian Air Force was injured when Maoists open fire at a rescue chopper in a densely forested area in Sukma district in Chhattisgarh on Friday.

Maoists fired several shots at the chopper when it attempted to airlift five injured paramilitary troopers.

“Rebels fired a few shots at IAF chopper Mi-17 in the violence-hit Chintagufa stretch when it tried to take off with five injured troopers,” said Sukma Superintendent of Police D. Shrawan.

He said flight gunner Mukesh Tiwari, who was wearing a bullet-proof vest, was hit in his leg.

Shrawan said the chopper was called for evacuation as Maoists injured five CRPF troopers in a fierce gun battle in Chintagufa, about 500 km from here, as the area was largely inaccessible by road.

The gunfight between the rebels and a joint search party, which comprised CRPF and District Force personnel, broke out when the Maoists were challenged at their hideout in the forest.

Despite shots being fired at the helicopter, the five injured troopers (one sub-inspector and four constables) were airlifted to Jagdalpur for treatment.

Reports said one of the CRPF men was taken to a private hospital in Raipur as his condition was said to be serious.

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