Polling party attacked in Chhattisgarh’s Narayanpur, police reportedly kill one Maoist

One Maoist was killed in encounter with security forces when they attacked a polling party in Narayanpur district falling under Bastar Lok Sabha constituency in Chhattisgarh. 

The encounter took place in the restive Orchha area of the district when Maoists attacked a team of security forces guarding a helipad, Director General (Anti-Naxal Operation) Girdhari Nayak told PTI.

Narayanpur: One Naxal has been killed in an encounter with security forces in Orchha police station limits. #Chhattisgarh

— ANI (@ANI) April 11, 2019

According to reports, one STF Jawan was also injured in the encounter. The security forces have returned to Orchha police station.

"One Special Task Force (STF) constable sustained injuries; he is out of danger. Body of the Naxal recovered along with a country made pistol,a knife,a pitthu bag, and other incriminating materials," ANI reported.

Voting in the assembly segment ended at 3 pm after which polling personnel from interior pockets were airlifted to Naraynpur town by helicopters. 

A blast was also reported from near a polling booth at the Dandwan area of the district at 4.15 am. When the blast occurred, security personnel and polling officers were present at the booth. No damage to life or property was reported. However, the area has been put on high alert. 

Earlier, Maoists triggered an IED blast near a polling booth in Maharashtra's Gadchroli district while voting for the Lok Sabha poll was underway. There were no casualties, a police official said. 

The IED (improvised explosive device) blast took place around 10.30 am in Waghezari area, around 150 metres from the polling booth where people were standing in queues to cast their votes for the Lok Sabha election, an official said.

"All polling and police personnel are safe. There are no casualties in the incident," Gadchiroli's Superintendent of Police Shailesh Balkawade said.