NEW DELHI, March 11 (Xinhua) -- At least 11 Indian security forces personnel have been killed and three others injured in an attack by left-wing Naxalite rebels in the central state of Chhattisgarh Saturday, a police official said.
"The incident took place in the Bhejja area of the state's Sukma district when the personnel of the para-military Central Reserve Police Force were on a road opening exercise. Armed rebels opened fire at the forces, killing nine on the spot," he said, on condition of anonymity.
Among the injured, two later succumbed to their injuries on the way to hospital, the official said, adding that the other wounded have been admitted to a hospital.
"Additional forces have been sent to the area and a massive manhunt launched to track down the perpetrators of the attack. We have started a combing operation in the area and hope to arrest all those responsible for the attack," he said.
Earlier on Friday, a former village head in Sukma district was killed by Naxalites over suspicion of him colluding with the cops. Security forces clash with Naxalite rebels in insurgency-hit Sukma on a regular basis.