Two cops, Doordarshan cameraman killed in Naxal attack in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada

RAIPUR: A Doordarshan cameraman and two security forces personnel were killed in an attack by Naxals in Aranpur in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada district on Tuesday.

A cameraman from national broadcaster Doordarshan died after his crew was attacked by Maoists in election-bound Chhattisgarh's Dantewada district, according to news agency ANI.

#UPDATE Two security personnel have also lost their lives in the attack by Naxals in Dantewada's Aranpur #Chhattisgarh https://t.co/VbvIfLHkFn — ANI (@ANI) October 30, 2018

The deceased cameraman was identified as Achyutananda Sahu. Prasar Bharti, in a tweet, condoled his untimely death.  

Prasar Bharati parivar condoles the death of Cameraman Achyutananda Sahu earlier today near Dantewada in Chhatisgarh. Our prayers with his family during this difficult moment. pic.twitter.com/BQOMg4Jo04

— Prasar Bharati (@prasarbharati) October 30, 2018

Sharing more information, DIG P Sundarraj said, ''Today our patrolling party was ambushed by Naxals in Aranpur. Two of our personnel were martyred and a DD cameraman was also injured and later succumbed to injuries. Two more personnel were injured in the attack.''

Two injured security personnel were rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment, he said.

Dantewada Naxal attack: Two security personnel who were injured brought to hospital. Two security personnel and a DD cameraman lost their lives in the attack. #Chhattisgarh pic.twitter.com/ZiqbwiNbNs — ANI (@ANI) October 30, 2018

The Union I&B Minister Rajyavardhan Rathore too expressed shock and grief over his death. 

''We stand in solidarity with the family of the cameraman, we will take care of his family. We salute all those mediapersons who go for coverage in such dangerous situations, remember their bravery,'' Rathore told ANI.

The fresh attack by the home-grown rebels comes three days after four soldiers of the Central Reserve Police Force were blown up in a powerful blast by the Maoists in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district.

The incident took place after the Maoists blew up their anti-landmine vehicle. 
 
Two other CRPF jawans were also seriously injured in the improvised explosive device blast.

The CRPF personnel killed by the Naxals included one Assistant Sub-Inspector, one head constable and two constables.

Anti-Naxal Operation DIG P Sundar Raj later said, "Four Central Reserve Police Force personnel (one ASI, one head-constable, two constables of 168 Battalion) lost their lives in an IED blast in Awapalli Police Station area in Bijapur. Two injured jawans were sent for medical treatment."

Fresh Naxal attacks have come at a time when the state is due to hold elections for 90-seat assembly in two phases - November 12 and November 20.  

The Maoist-affected districts of southern Chhattisgarh will vote in the first phase of polling.

Interestingly, on Monday, Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad had claimed that the number of Maoist-affected districts has reduced from 150 to 78-80 over the years.

Prasad saìd this while campaigning in Chhattisgarh.