Friday, February 10 2006 14:29 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Raipur: Eight CISF jawans were killed and injured in an attack by naxalites at an explosive depot of National Mineral Development Corporation in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada district early today (Feb 10,2006).

The ultras escaped with a huge amount of explosive materials and weapons from the depot located at Hiroli near Kirandul, about 550 kms from here, state Director General of Police Om Prakash Rathor told sources here.

Police sources from Dantewada said about 400 armed naxalites looted a huge quantity of Ammonium Nitrate, a high grade explosive, among other things, stocked in the depot by the Central PSU for its mining operation.

Besides, the insurgents took away 14 self-loaded rifles (SLR), one nine MM pistol, two wireless sets and several ammunitions, Rathor said.

After triggering several blasts, the Maoists opened indiscriminate fire on CISF jawans guarding the depot, killing nine and injuring nine security men.

The naxalites outnumbered the security personnel, the sources said, adding the attack was suspected aimed at looting the explosive materials and weapons.