In Chhattisgarh, 15 people, including six security personnel, were killed today in two separate blasts triggered by Maoists in tribal Bastar region. AIR correspondent reports that Maoists blew up a bus, carrying polling party and resorted to indiscriminate firing. The incident took place near Ketulnaar village on Kutru- Guduma road in Bijapur district.

Seven polling personnel died on spot, while five others were injured. There were no security personnel in the ill-fated bus. The polling party was returning to their base after the April 10 polling in Bastar Lok Sabha Constituency.

In another incident, Maoists blew up an ambulance near Darbha village in Bastar district killing eight people on board. Six CRPF personnel, one medical attendant and the driver of ambulance are among the dead.

Ten CRPF personnel were travelling in the ambulance. These security personnel were returning to their base camp after road opening operation in Kukanaar area. All those injured in both the incidents are being shifted to a hospital in the state capital.

Officials in Raipur said it is a very sad incident that the troops were killed in such a cowardly act by Naxals. But, they said it is a case of clear violation of Standard Operating Procedures. They said the troops should not have taken the shortcut of hopping on an ambulance. It is inviting a fatal ambush like the one that occured in the noon today.