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.

"The helicopter's rotor blade, engine and fuselage were hit by bullets but pilot Wg Cdr T K Chaudhary managed to fly it to safety in Jagdalpur, saving the lives of other passengers," he added.