Naxals hit IAF chopper in Dantewada

Naxals fired at an Mi-17 chopper deep inside Dantewada forests. The IAF chopper was on an operational sortie,and according to local reports

Naxals fired at an Mi-17 chopper on Monday evening deep inside Dantewada forests. The IAF chopper was on an operational sortie,and according to local reports,was hit by at least 10 bullets. The chopper lost communication for some time and was reported missing. Officials,however,denied the reports,saying it reached its base in Jagdalpur within 40 minutes of being hit.

The incident took place in Bheji police station area,25 km south of Chintagufa,which is 100 km away from the district headquarters. This is the second incident in the past few years when the insurgents have managed to hit a chopper.

Three suspected Naxals have been apprehended red-handed with minor arms while they were trying to escape after firing at the chopper.

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The chopper was crossing a hillock nearly 10 km off Bheji police station when Naxalites opened fire and 8-9 bullets hit it…detailed report can be given only after forensic team submits its findings, Bastar IG T J Longkumer told The Indian Express. A major joint operation by the CRPF and the state police is underway in the forests.

Konta Sub-divisional Officer of Police Nekolus Khalkho said,Three persons were nabbed red-handed by the CRPF soon after they were trying to escape. They were minor workers,top Naxal leaders managed to slip away.

Two .12 bore rifles,two live cartridges and one country-made pistol were recovered from Marvi Bhima (40),Sori Bhima (24) and Sori Dhurva (22). The trio were handed over to the police and taken to Injram village where they will be formally arrested, Khalkho said.

A few years ago,an IAF sergeant was killed in Dantewada forests when a bullet pierced through the choppers window and hit him.

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