CHHATTISGARH: An Indian soldier was martyred in an encounter with the Maoists. The incident occurred in the Bastar region of Chhattisgarh. The assistant commandant of Central Reserve Police Force’s (CRPF) 168 battalion, S B Tirkey was killed and another security personnel was injured in the attack.

The encounter took place in Chhattisgarh’s left-wing extremism affected Bijapur district, on Saturday. The firing occurred at Timmapur-Putkel under Basaguda police station area of the district when a CRPF patrol comprising personnel from the 'F company' of its 168th battalion was out for a road opening and sanitising duty. Reports suggest that the Maoists opened fire at the CRPF forces. A combing operation is currently underway in the region.