7 policemen killed in naxal blast in Bastar dist

    Jagdalpur, November 25, 2008: Seven policemen were killed today and three injured when banned outfit CPI (Maoist) triggered a powerful IED blast in Kondagaon area of Bastar district in Chhattisgarh.

     The incident took place in the forenoon today when polling parties with Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) were returning back from Mardapal after conducting re-polling yesterday, police officials said here.

     When the escorting police party, which was on foot, was trying to cross a bridge near Dholmudri, about 23 km from Kondagaon, Maoists carried blast of an improvised explosive devise killing four jawans from the Special Task Force and three from the District Forces, they said.

      When contacted Kondagaon Sub Divisional Police Officer S Premlata refused to give any details of the incident and suggested to talk to the state Intelligence Chief on the matter.

     The incident took place when the police party was escorting the polling parties with EVMs, but the election Commission officials also said they had no information about the incident, which only reflected the coordination between the police forces and the Election offices.