Nalco mine siege ends; 11 dead

Seven CISF jawans and four Maoist guerillas were killed in a gunfight following a daring attack by the ultras on a well-guarded armoury and bauxite mine of Nalco in Orissa's Koraput district, police said. Over 100 workers present in the mine during the attack were safe.
Before fleeing from the spot, the heavily-armed Maoists numbering about 200, including some women, looted the CISF armoury in the mining area which contained huge quantities of sophisticated arms and ammunition as well as explosives.
"Seven jawans of CISF posted at the hilltop bauxite mines in Damanjodi area were killed in the gunbattle that continued till early morning after the Maoists attacked it last night," Director General of Police M M Praharaj said.
Four Maoists were also killed in the encounter and two rifles were seized from the site, he said, adding more casualties were not ruled out as the entire area was still being searched after the ultras fled with weapons under the cover of darkness.
Nalco Chairman and Managing Directror C R Pradhan said all the employees were safe and have been set free.
"They were set free at around six in the mornign after the special operation group reached the spot," he said.
The well planned attack, apparently aimed at disrupting the upcoming polls and loot explosives, took place shortly after 9.30 pm last night in Asia's biggest bauxite mines.