An injured radio operator was left behind by an Indian Air Force (IAF) crew in the jungles of Chhattisgarh after their helicopter was shot down by Naxals this evening, but Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) commandos rescued him.

To say more, The M-17 helicopter was forced to land in south Bastar after being hit by Naxal gunfire. The IAF crew left behind the radio operator - a Chhattisgarh policeman - as well as the damaged helicopter. Several hours later, CRPF commandos located the helicopter and rescued the injured radio operator. It seems a Chhattisgarh policeman was killed and another severely injured in a gun battle at Timilwara under Chintagufa police station on the Chhattisgarh-Andhra Pradesh border.

The Union Home Secretary R K Singh announced a reward of Rs. 5 Lakh for the CRPF commandos who rescued the radio operator.

(AW:Samrat Biswas)