23 Indian troops ‘missing’ after clash with Maoists

INDIA: At least 23 Indian troops have gone missing in the central state of Chhattisgarh following a major clash with Maoist rebels, police said Tuesday.

The men were part of a 100-strong unit investigating a tip about the possible location of a camp run by the ultra-leftist insurgents, who are increasingly active in the east and centre of the country.

“The men left for the region to investigate a tip-off,” senior police official R.K. Vij told AFP.

“We have 23 personnel missing after the encounter with the rebels that lasted four to five hours,” he added, saying the clash took place in Dantewada district, 500 kilometres (310 miles) from the state capital Raipur.

A report by the Press Trust of India news agency, however, said 41 security personnel were missing after Monday’s clash.

Meanwhile four policemen and nine civilians were hurt when suspected Muslim rebels hurled two grenades at a house a prominent Indian Kashmiri politician was visiting, police said.

“Four policemen and nine civilians were injured in the attack but Omar Abdullah is fine,” said police officer Mohammed Yasin.

Abdullah heads the National Conference, Kashmir’s main political party, which is currently in opposition, and served as a federal cabinet minister in India’s last Hindu nationalist government.

Yasin said the attack took place near Handwara town, 80 kilometres (50 miles) north of Srinagar, minutes after Abdullah went into a local official’s house for tea after addressing a well-attended rally.

“Two grenades exploded in succession outside the house,” Yasin said, adding Abdullah was later taken back to Srinagar under military escort.

New Delhi, Tuesday, AFP