3 SSB men killed in ambush by Maoists in Chhattisgarh

Three personnel of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) were killed and one grievously injured in a landmine explosion triggered by Maoists who targetted an 11-vehicle convoy proceeding along National Highway-16 near Geedam, about 50 km from here today.

"The vehicles were conveying SSB personnel towards Raipur from Dantewada district's Karli where they struck camp after a two-year-long presence," the force's Deputy Inspector-General Chiranjeev Prasad said.

The sheer force of the blast - that took place between Ayatupara and Bagmundi in Bastanar tehsil - blew the convoy's fourth vehicle apart and created an approximately six-feet deep crater.