Naxal Attack: 36 Greyhound Jawans feared drowned in Balimela Resorvoir, Orissa

Over 36 Greyhound jawans from Andhra Pradesh and Orissa Police were feared drowned in Balimela resorvoir in Malkangiri district of Orissa, as Naxalites opened fire at their boat, which ultimately sunk deep in the water. The Naxalites had an advantage, as they were on a hill top and the jawans were travelling in water. The Naxalites could successfully capsize the boat by targeting its operator.

At least 24 jawans managed to swim ashore with bullet injuries. They were immediately rushed to Vishakhapatnam for further treatment. Search operations are going on to locate other jawans who went missing. The incident took place near Alampetta village when nearly 64 jawans of Greyhound Force were on their way to Chitrakonda to launch a joint operation against the Maoists.