NEW DELHI – Three jawans of the Armed Force (CAF) were hurt in a blasttriggered by the ultras in Bijapur district last night.

When the CAF men were returning after carrying out an anti-Maoistoperation, the IED blast occurred last night in a forest near Ranibodlivillage, around 450 kms from Raipur.

The ultras detonated the IED near a rivulet, just a few metres away fromthe patrolling team while it was passing through the forest, a local policeofficial told PTI.

Three constables, belonging to the CAF’s 9th battalion, sustainedsuperficial splinter injuries in the incident, the official said.

They were admitted to a hospital in Bijapur, he said, adding that theircondition was stable.

In Kanker, the skirmish took place this morning in a forest when a jointteam of the BSF’s 35th battalion and the district force was out on ananti-Maoist operation, Superintendent of Police K L Dhruv told PTI.

When the security men were advancing through the forest between Gome andGattakal villages, located around 250 kms away from Raipur, a group ofultras fired on them leading to the gun battle, he said.

However, the ultras soon escaped from the spot, he said. “Constable VirappaKB, belonging to BSF’s 35th battalion, sustained injuries in his leg belowthe knee in the encounter,” the SP said.

Reinforcement was rushed to the spot, he said, adding that the constablewas airlifted and admitted to a hospital in Raipur.