Encounter on between Maoists, cops in Chhattisgarh

RAIPUR: About 70 police personnel were on Wednesday reported missing in Chhattisgarh forests amid a major gunfight between heavily-armed Maoists and police in Dantewada area, authorities said.

The gunfight began when Maoists attacked a search party of the state police in a thickly forested area of Gumiapal, close to Kirandul, about 420 km south of capital Raipur, an iron ore mining facility of India's top iron ore producer NMDC Ltd.

"About 70 police personnel are missing," a source at the police headquarters here said.

"Additional forces have been rushed to the site. The gun battle is on amid heavy rain. I can't comment anything now about casualty or injury but it's a major fight," the police officer told IANS.

A strong contingent of District Force (DF) and Koya Commando comprising of special police officers (SPOs) had gone into the forests around 11 a.m. after police were tipped-off about the presence of a unit headed by Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) commander Ganesh Uike in Gumiapal forests, state IG Police, Rajesh Mishra, told reporters.

"Police headquarters is awaiting details about the encounter which is still on. Our brave policemen are giving them (Maoists) a very tough fight," said Mishra.

The Maoists attacked a police party with around 80 personnel this morning around 8 am, said IG Police Rajesh Mishra. The encounter is taking place in the forests of Goomiapal, near Kirandul, 40 kilometres from Dantewada, Mishra added.

"A police party was following a military company of the CPI (Maoist) led by their senior commander Ganesh Uike," said Mishra.

The incident occurred when a joint team of STF, district police force and Koya Commando had gone for patrolling from Kirandool police station area, police sources said.

The encounter began around 11.30, said unconfirmed reports. No information is available on the casualties.

The party included personnel from Chhattisgarh police, Special Task Force and Koya Commandos.

Heavy rain is taking place in the area, making it difficult for reinforcements and the rescue team to reach.