Maoists kill 76 policemen in Dantewada (3rd Update)

     Dantewada, April 6, 2010: In the largest ever attack, the Maoists today killed 76 policemen in Tadmetla forest of Dantewada district in Chhattisgarh.

     A total of 74 CRPF personnel and one Head Constable of the State Police and one Special police officer were killed today in an ambush by the Maoists, Police officers told ChhattisgarhTopNews.Com here.

     In that incident seven policemen were also injured, out of which two were referred to Raipur looking into their condition, they said.

     Giving details, CRPF sources said a police party of 82 personnel was inside the Chintalnar jungle since April 4 on an area domination operation and about 5.30 AM today they were ambushed by about 1000 armed Maoists.

     When additional forces were being rushed from Chintalnar and other places, they were also ambushed on their way to stop any help from reaching out to the 82 security forces, who were engaged in a gun battle in Tadmetla forest, they said.

     An anti-land mine vehicle was also blown up, when that was rushing to the spot to rescue the injured forces, they said.

     In that incident 76 security forces were killed and the police also lost all its weapons to the Maoists, Police said.

     The incident had created an upheaval among the police and governments as it was the biggest ever casualty of para military forces in any single incident of violence.