Maoists blew up a CRPF vehicle in Bastar in Chhatisgarh, killing four CRPF personnel including a Deputy Commandant on the spot and injuring five others. The incident occurred hours before President Pratibha Patil was scheduled to visit the area. The landline blast occurred at a forest area near Mardum in Bastar.
The slain Deputy Commandant was identified as Diwakar Mahapatra of 41st CRPF battalion, who was a native of Orissa. The police have cordoned off the area and began a combing operation. President Dr. Pratibha Patil was to visit the famous Chitrakote Waterfall on Indravati River, 27 km from the blast site.
