11 killed in two Maoist attacks in Chhattisgarh

Six polling officials and five troopers were killed Saturday when their vehicles were blown up in two separate Maoist attacks in Chhattisgarh, officials said.

The Maoists struck just two days after polling got over in Chhattisgarh's Bastar Lok Sabha constituency.

As many as 12 polling officials were returning in a bus in Bijapur district, about 450 km from here, after balloting got over Thursday.

Maoists used a landmine to blow up the bus, killing six polling officials on the spot. Six polling personnel were injured.

The attack, which took place around noon, was near Ketulnar village. The private bus in which the team was travelling was blown to bits.

The second attack too took place around noon in Bastar district when five Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) troopers were travelling in an ambulance. The troopers were part of the road opening party of the 80th battalion.

The ambulance was blown up in a landmine blast in Darbha valley, which is about 350 km from here. The five troopers were killed while the fate of the ambulance driver is not yet known.

On Thursday, over half of the electorate in Bastar Lok Sabha constituency voted as two troopers were injured in a gunbattle with Maoists while they were escorting a polling party.

Balloting takes place in three constituencies of Chhattisgarh April 17 while seven seats will see voting April 24. - IANS