In a major attack on Security Forces (SFs), the Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) cadres ambushed a group of SFs killing 17 of them and injuring 15 others while one Maoist was also killed in the attack in the dense forests of Elmaguda close to Kasalpad and Minpa villages in the Chintagufa area in Sukma District of Chhattisgarh on March 21, reports The Times of India. According to Director General of Police (DGP), D. M. Awasthi, on receiving a tip-off about the presence of the Maoists in the said area, a group of over a hundred personnel belonging to District Reserve Guard (DRG), Special Task Force (STF) and Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) unit of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) had launched an anti-Maoist operation. The Maoists, however, triggered Improvised Explosive Device (IED) explosions and opened fire at the SFs leading to an exchange of fire in which 12 DRG and five STF personnel were killed while 15 of them were injured, the DGP added. The Maoists also looted a Light Machine Gun(LMG), 14 assault rifles and an Under-Barrel Grenade Launcher (UBGL) from the possession of the deceased SFs. Earlier, South Asia Terrorism Portal (SATP)reported that one Maoist was killed and 14 SF personnel were injured while 13 jawans (troopers) of State Police were missing in the encounter.