35 Killed as Maoists Blow up Private Bus in Dantewada
As many as 35 people, including 11 special police officers, have been killed in a powerful blast triggered by members of the Communist Party of India (Maoist) in Chhattisgarh’s Dantewada district, said media reports.
Maoists blew up a private bus killing 24 civilians and 11 special police officers using a powerful Improvised Explosive Device (IED), reports said.
The blast, in which youths appearing for a constabulary exams were also killed, took place at 4.30 pm at Chingavaram on the Dantewada-Sukhma road, said reports.
Inspector General RK Vij confirmed that 12 security personnel were killed in the explosion, but police sources at the spot said that a total of 35 bodies were recovered, reports said.
“Search operations have been suspended for the night,” a senior police officer was quoted as saying.
“As the exact number of passengers in the bus is not known, a final figure shall be provided after a daylight search.”
So far 17 SPOs and 10 civilians, all injured, have been counted, said reports.
Quoting sources, reports said that those escaping from the bus came under fire from Maoists.
“Currently we are in the midst of a recruitment drive,” confirmed the police officer. “Those killed were returning to Sukhma after the exam.”
The bus was carrying 50-60 people.
(Based on internet reports)
