BJP legislator Bhima Mandavi has been killed in the attack.

A BJP convoy has been attacked by Maoists in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada BJP legislator from Dantewada Bhima Mandavi, was also in the convoy, has been shot dead. A gunfight with the Maoists is still on.

Photographs show the blast was set-off through an Improvised Explosive Device that was buried on the road. The blast had ripped apart the vehicle in which the lawmaker was travelling

Five people died instantly -- most of them security personnel accompanying the lawmaker.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has condemned the attack. "Strongly condemn the Maoist attack in Chhattisgarh. My tributes to the security personnel who were martyred. The sacrifices of these martyrs will not go in vain," he tweeted. PM also condoled Bhima Mandavi's death in a separate tweet.

Sources said when the surviving people tried to come out of the car, the Maoists, who were hidden nearby, opened fire. The gunfight that followed is still on, sources said.



Here are the updates on the Maoist attack in Chhattisgarh:

Apr 09, 2019 22:12 (IST) Dantewada Maoist Attack: Bulletproof SUV Split Into 2 In Dantewada Maoist Attack On BJP Convoy

With barely 48 hours remaining for the first phase of voting in the national election, BJP lawmaker from Dantewada Bhima Mandavi had wrapped up campaigning for the day and was travelling in a three-car convoy from Bacheli to Kuwakonda in the Maoist-hit district in Chhattisgarh." With barely 48 hours remaining for the first phase of voting in the national election, BJP lawmaker from Dantewada Bhima Mandavi had wrapped up campaigning for the day and was travelling in a three-car convoy from Bacheli to Kuwakonda in the Maoist-hit district in Chhattisgarh."

Apr 09, 2019 21:45 (IST) Photos from the site, showing impact of the IED explosion





Apr 09, 2019 20:53 (IST) Election Commission seeks report on the attack

The Election Commission has sought a report on the Dantewada Maoist attack. Chhattisgarh's Chief Electoral Officer was on video conference with police officers in the affected districts. They have been asked to take utmost precautions over the next few days with elections scheduled on April 11, 18 and 23.

Apr 09, 2019 19:49 (IST) Rahul Gandhi condoles deaths in the attack

The attack in Dantewada, Chhattisgarh is very tragic. I pray to God to give strength and peace to the familes of those killed

Apr 09, 2019 19:32 (IST) BJP lawmaker Bhima Mandavi was advised by police to not visit the area, Dantewada Superintendent of Police Abhishek Pallav said









Apr 09, 2019 19:14 (IST) MP Nathaniel, former CRPF IG on the attack







The security forces have to be very alert close to the elections. They look for the loopholes in security and launch their attacks. There are SOPs in such situations. Election Commision officials brief security personnel

Apr 09, 2019 19:10 (IST) Dantewada blast | The armoured vehicle overturned, split into two due to the IED blast, leaving a large crater on the road



20 kilos of explosive were likely used in the Maoist attack pic.twitter.com/NQfomi6Mxp - NDTV (@ndtv) April 9, 2019

Apr 09, 2019 19:09 (IST) Lost a true public servant, former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh tweets







We have lost a true public servant as Shri Bhima Mandaviya. May his soul and also the soul of the brave jawans rest in peace.

Apr 09, 2019 19:00 (IST) PM condemns Maoist attack in Dantewada



Strongly condemn the Maoist attack in Chhattisgarh. My tributes to the security personnel who were martyred. The sacrifices of these martyrs will not go in vain. - Chowkidar Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 9, 2019

Shri Bhima Mandavi was a dedicated Karyakarta of the BJP. Diligent and courageous, he assiduously served the people of Chhattisgarh. His demise is deeply anguishing. Condolences to his family and supporters. Om Shanti. - Chowkidar Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 9, 2019

Apr 09, 2019 18:55 (IST) P Sundar Raj, DIG Anti-Maoist operations





Priority is attending to injured. The MLA's car was targeted. It was a very powerful IED, the impact can be assesed by the large crater on the road. There is no mobile network at spot, will get back with detailed information



Apr 09, 2019 18:47 (IST) Crater on the road showing the intensity of the attack



Apr 09, 2019 18:44 (IST) Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Dantewada attack

"Deeply saddened & angered at the Naxal attack in Dantewada that has claimed the lives of BJP MLA Shri Bheema Mandavi Ji and four members of the state police force. May their souls rest in peace. My heartfelt condolences to family and friends"

Apr 09, 2019 18:40 (IST) The vehicle was bullet-proof but not fully-armoured. The intensity of the blast was such that it broke in two. The detonation could have taken place using a remote control



Apr 09, 2019 18:37 (IST) High-level meeting called

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel has called a high level meeting, after the attack, news agency ANI reports Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel has called a high level meeting, after the attack, news agency ANI reports

Apr 09, 2019 18:36 (IST) The Maoist-hit Bastar region goes to polls in the first phase. The lawmaker had been campaigning in the area when his convoy was targeted.



Apr 09, 2019 18:27 (IST) Maoists set off a blast through an Improvised Explosive Device. A huge crater could be seen on the road and the vehicle overturned

Maoists set off a blast through an Improvised Explosive Device. A huge crater could be seen on the road and the vehicle overturned

Apr 09, 2019 18:16 (IST) More details on the attack

Attack between Kuakonta and Symgiri

The convoy of BJP MLA Bheema Mandavi came under an IED attack today evening

The Escort vehicle of State Police came under the blast

05 personnel of CG State Police are critically injured

Reinforcement of CRPF rushed.



Apr 09, 2019 18:10 (IST) Bhima Mandavi had been on campaigning when his convoy was targeted. Photographs indicated that the Maoists set off a blast through an Improvised Explosive Device.