16 jawans killed in brutal Maoist attack in Chhattisgarh

According to reports, the attack took place at around 10.30 am.

Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde confirmed the naxal attack.

Fearing leakage of their strategies ahead of Lok Sabha polls, Maoists are keeping a close watch on people who could act as informers and pass on information using mobile phones in villages of their hot-bed Bastar.

Sources said, 55 CRPF and local police jawans were returning from Tongpal after their road security duty was over. It was then that the Maoists struck.

Meanwhile, bodies of 20 jawans were brought to Tongpal police station and 11 injured jawans were shifted to Raipur.

Chhattisgarh chief minister Dr Raman Singh has cancelled his stay in Delhi, and is returning to Raipur. He has called an emergency meeting of officials.