Carrying out a major attack, Naxals on Saturday targeted a convoy of Congress leaders in Chhattisgarh’s Jagdalpur district killing the party’s senior leader Mahendra Karma and injuring former union minister V C Shukla.

The Maoists also kidnapped PCC chief Nand Kumar Patel and his son after attacking the Congress leaders at Darba Gati Valley in Jagdalpur district , police said.

A former Congress MLA Udya Mudaliyar was also shot dead by the Maoists who attacked the convoy at around 1730 hours when they were returning from a “Parivartan” rally.

Karma, a former Home Minister of state who was one of the guiding force behind “Salwa Judum” (anti-Naxal operation by vigilante groups), was killed when a large number of Maoists opened fire on the rally. The burst of gunfire was preceded by a blast.

Shukla was reported to be at Darba Ghati police station and the nature of his injuries could not be ascertained immediately.

Home Ministry rushing additional forces to Chhattisgarh

After a major Naxal attack on a Congress rally in Chhattisgarh, the Union Home Ministry tonight said it is rushing additional paramilitary forces to help launch a combing operation for release of abducted leaders.

“Home Ministry has sent additional forces to Chhattisgarh to assist the local administration in launching combing operations for rescue of kidnapped persons,” Home Ministry sources said adding “the state government has been assured of all help“.

The Home Ministry has also sought a report from the state government on today’s violence. The MHA officials are in regular touch with state government officials and are monitoring the situation.

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