Dantewada: 5 Including BJP MLA Killed In Maoist Attack

A group of suspected Maoists attacked a convoy of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP ) lawmakers in Dantewada district of south Chhattisgarh on Tuesday evening, killing MLA Bhima Mandavi and four security personnel.

Mandavi had initially been reported missing.

The attack took place near Nakulnar town of Dantewada.

The Maoists reportedly triggered an IED blast targeting vehicles in this convoy.

 The attack comes just two days before the first phase of general election, which includes three constituencies in Chhattisgarh.

Mandavi was the only BJP MLA in Maoist insurgency-hit Bastar region of Chhattisgarh.

In the assembly elections last year, 11 out of total 12 seats in Bastar went to the Congress.

Mandavi had defeated Salwa Judum founder Mahendra Karma’s wife Devati Karma from Dantewada assembly segment.