Raipur, July 10
At least 24 securitymen, including 16 CRPF personnel, and 20 Maoists were killed in one of the deadliest gunbattles in the dense forests of Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh, the police said today.“Sixteen CRPF jawans, including an Assistant Commandant, six special police officers (SPOs) and two from Dantewada district forces were killed in the Elampatti-Regadgatta jungle of Dantewada district, about 550 km from the state capital,” Chhattisgarh DGP Vishwaranjan told PTI.

All the dead bodies have been recovered. At least 20 Maoists were killed in the gunbattle which lasted for over five hours since 0045 hours yesterday. A 115-strong joint team of CRPF personnel and policemen had gone to raid a Naxalite hideout and after smashing one, when they were proceeding towards the other, the forces were surrounded from all sides and attacked by Maoists. — PTI