Naxalites in Chhatisgarh opened fire on an Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopter carrying sealed Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) on Friday, which killed one crew member.

The attack took place in Bijapur, 310 miles south of Chhattisgarh state's capital Raipur.

"A Mi-8 helicopter on election duty was shot at in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district on Friday evening and flight engineer was killed," IAF spokesperson said. The deceased engineer was identified as Mustafa Ali.

The helicopter was carrying 4 injured BSF jawans and EVMs.

Ranchi, Nov. 14 : Four security personnel, including three policemen and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) soldier were injured in two separate blasts during the first phase of elections in Chhattisgarh on Friday.

The incidents took place in Maoist-infested Dantewada District. The policemen were injured in a landmine blast near Gorkha, as they were accompanying election officials to polling booths in Bhejji.

The second bomb explosion took place Chintalnar.

Raipur, Nov 14 : The polling process in at least six booths in Chhattisgarh''s Bastar division was disrupted today due to looting of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).

The Election Commission has been urged to order a re-poll in these booths.

Polling was underway in 39 of the total 90 constituencies in the first phase of Chhattisgarh Assembly election.

According to sources, the Maoist naxalites looted EVMs at Hagrawa village in Dantewada district after triggering a blast near the polling booth.

New Delhi  - Several low intensity explosions and gunbattles between police and rebels were reported Friday as voting began in two-phase local elections in India's Maoist-hit central Chhattisgarh state.

Three policemen accompanying election officials were injured in a landmine blast triggered by Maoist rebels in Dantewada district, PTI and IANS news agencies reported.

Gunbattles between policemen and Maoist guerrillas were reported from at least 15 places as polling began.

In yet another case on poll-related Naxal violence, a Congress leader was killed by Naxalites in the Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh.

Raipur, Nov. 13: Security has been beefed up beefed up in Chhattisgarh ahead of first phase of Assembly poll.

All arrangements are in place for a free and fair election.

The polling in the 12 Assembly segments in Bastar region will start at 7 am and will close at 3 p. m. while in other 27 constituencies voting will take place between 8 a. m and 5 pm.