6 CRPF men injured in Naxal encounter in Chhattisgarh

The encounter took place at around 12.25 PM between the Burkapal-Chintagufa area of the worst Maoist violence-affected district in south Bastar area of the state.

"The Naxals fired at a patrolling party of the CRPF near Burkapal village leaving six personnel injured," Special Director General (anti-Naxal operations) of Chhattisgarh Police, D M Awasthi told PTI.

The jawans are from the 74th battalion of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), including an Inspector-rank officer, have been injured in the gun battle.

"An helicopter has already left for the spot to evacuate the injured. The encounter is still on," a senior officer said.

Reinforcement parties from the nearest CRPF camp have also been rushed in, the officer added. Twelve personnel of the CRPF were killed in the same district early this year in a deadly Naxal ambush.