14 killed as Maoists strike in Chhattisgarh

Less than an hour later and about 100 kms away, Naxals blew up an ambulance carrying CRPF personnel at Kamanar village under Darbha police station, leaving five securitymen and the ambulance driver dead on the spot. A paramedic technician of the ambulance succumbed in a local hospital, the ADG said.

Besides, five paramilitary personnel were also injured in the incident, Vij said, adding they were airlifted to Raipur and are undergoing treatment at the private hospital.  According to a senior police official, the personnel belonged to 80th battalion of Central Reserve Police Force and were heading towards Jagdalpur district headquarter after a security operation in the region for the movement of polling teams.

Some of them took lift in the ambulance ahead of Kamnar.  Naxals were apparently keeping a watch on the movement of the security forces following which they targeted the vehicle, he said.

The slain CRPF personnel have been identified as Inspector M K Rai, Assistant Sub-Inspector Kanti Bhai, Head Constable's Sitaram and M Umesh, Constable Dinesh and the civilian driver Vasu Sethiya.

A police official told PTI that around 75-100 armed rebels were involved in the ambush on the polling team.  After triggering a landmine blast, the Naxals opened indiscriminate firing on the bus.

Meanwhile, Chief Electoral Officer Sunil Kujur said some ballot units of the EVM machines possessed by the polling officials was damaged in the mishap.

However, the control unit of those EVMs has already been shifted to the district headquarter, he added.