10 CRPF jawans and four Maoists killed in Bihar encounter

Patna: Ten security personnel were martyred and four Maoists were gunned down in a day-long encounter in Dumari Nala Forest area situated at the border of Aurangabad and Gaya districts of Bihar on Monday.

According to sources, a helicopter, sent to evacuate the injured soldiers, had to return to Patna as the Naxalites were firing heavily and it could not land.

“The operation has been going on since the last couple of days after we received a tip-off in this connection. The clash took place after the group Maoists started firing indiscriminately at the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawans,” said a senior officer.

Other highlights:

• Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Magadh range Saurabh Kumar said he was informed about the fire-exchange between security forces and Maoists but the officer refused to comment on causalities.
• According to reports, neighbouring districts were also assisting in the operation.
• The martyred soldiers belonged to the Cobra Battalion of CRPF.