Bijapur: One CRPF jawan killed in a Maoist encounter in Usoor Block Bijapur district, somewhere 400 Km away from the fort. Along with him another security personnel, Apparao, was injured sources added.

The deceased CRPF personnel was an assistant commandant of the CRPF 168 battalion. He has been identified as Shanti Bhushan Tirkey from Jharkhand.

Reportedly, the battle took place in the forests of Putkel, under the Basaguda Police Station limit in Bijapur, while officials were out patrolling for road opening and sanitising duty. Indiscriminate firing began after the Naxals sighted the security battalion. The firing escalated after the security forces retaliated.

According to a statement issued by Inspector General of Police, Bastar range, Sundarraj P, the operation is underway and backup forces have been rushed to the spot. Injured Apparao, has been hospitalized and is stable, he added.

More details about the incident are awaited as the operation is underway.