Just days before the first phase of polling in Chhattisgarh on 12 November, four civilians and a CISF jawan were killed when suspected Naxals blew up a bus with an improvised explosive device (IED) in the state's Dantewada district on Thursday.
Two personnel of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) were also injured in the explosion, reported PTI.
Dantewada Superintendent of Police Abhishek Pallava told PTI that those killed in the blast were identified as CISF Head Constable D Mukhopadhyay, bus driver Ramesh Patkar, helpers Roshan Kumar Sahu and Johan Nayak, and a truck driver, Sushil Banjare.
The attack came just a day before Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress President Rahul Gandhi are scheduled to campaign for the first phase of the Assembly election In the state.
Modi and Rahul to campaign in Chhattisgarh
Modi is scheduled to address a mega rally in Jagdalpur on Friday. "This will be the Prime Minister's first election rally for the state Assembly polls. It will add power to the party's campaign," a BJP spokesperson was quoted as saying by PTI.
Meanwhile, Gandhi will also be in Chhattisgarh as part of a two-day tour. He will address his first rally in Pakhanjore town of Kanker district, followed by more public meetings in Khairgarh and Dongargarh towns. He will also make a public address at Gunj Chowk.