Raipur: In a second Naxal attack in Chhattisgarh in 24 hours, 17 trucks carrying iron ore were set on fire. The attack took place in Kanker, however, no casualties were reported. After the incident, several security personnel were rushed to the spot.

Kanker Superintendent of Police Jitendera Singh Meena said that after torching the vehicles, the Maoists fled into the forest, he said.

On getting information about the incident, a police team was immediately rushed to the spot which found the vehicles, including trucks, mining machineries and JCB, burnt, he said.

A search operation has been launched in the region to nab the ultras involved in the incident, the SP added.

The extremists are reportedly opposing iron ore mining in the area being done by Neco Jayaswal Company.

Notably, four officials of Neco Jayaswal company, including a general manager, were kidnapped on April 1 by Naxals from a separate iron ore reserve - Chargaon in Kanker district. However, they were later released the same day.

Yesterday, seven STF personnel were killed and ten others injured when Naxals ambushed them in the forests of Pidmel village under Polampalli police station limits of Sukma district, around 450 km from the state capital Raipur. The deceased included a platoon commander-ranked officer.

(With PTI inputs)