Atleast 18 people including senior Congress leader Mahendra Karma were killed when heavily armed Maoists ambushed a convoy of Congress leaders in Bastar district of Chhattisgarh yesterday.

19 others including former Union Minister VC Shukla have been injured in the incident which took place in Darba Ghati Valley near Jagdalpur. The Maoists also kidnapped Chhattisgarh Congress President Nand Kumar Patel and his son Dinesh.

Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and Congress President Mrs. Sonia Gandhi have strongly condemned the incident. Describing the incident as a dastardly and anti-democratic act, the Prime Minister said, Government will take firm action against the perpetrators of violence.

Dr. Singh also appealed to the attackers to release, at the earliest, all those who may have been abducted. Prime Minister also spoke to Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh and offered all help in rescue and relief operations.

Congress President Sonia Gandhi, accompanied by Party Vice President Rahul Gandhi met Prime Minister last night. Talking to media persons after the meeting Mrs. Gandhi said, she is shocked, astounded and pained by the attack on Party colleagues.

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi visited the injured persons including former Union Minister VC Shukla at hospital in Raipur. He also visited Pradesh Congress Headquarters in Raipur and addressed party leaders and workers.

He said, this attack is not only on Congress leaders and workers but also on democracy. Condemning the incident, BJP President Rajnath Singh said that fight against Naxalism and terrorism should be undertaken by all rising above partisan politics.

Maoists have killed Chhattisgarh Congress President Nand Kumar Patel. He was kidnapped yesterday by the Naxals after an attack on a Congress convoy near Jagdalpur.