At least six Border Security Force (BSF) jawans were injured after a herd of elephants attacked them on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar in Odisha on Thursday.

According to reports, around 70 BSF jawans from the 88th battalion deployed in the Maoist-hit Koraput district were undergoing training in anti-Naxalite operations near Mundasahi in Chandaka by the special operation group (SOG) of the Odisha police when they were attacked by the jumbos.

The SOG is an Indian elite paramilitary unit operating under the Odisha police. It specialises in neutralising terrorists, insurgents and extremists. The SOG headquarters is located near Chandaka on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar. Chandaka is a wildlife sanctuary known for its elephants.

SOG instructor Kamalakanat Nayak said: “The jawans came face to face with a herd of elephants late at night. The herd appeared from the forests where the training was going on and they attacked the jawans. A few jawans sustained injuries and three of them were critical.”

The injured jawans were rushed to SOG hospital and later shifted to AIIMS, Bhubaneswar.

“The condition of the injured jawans is stable. One jawan had to undergo surgery on Saturday for a fracture in his hand. The rest who sustained injuries in the attack have been released from the hospital and brought to the base camp at Chandaka,” Nayak said.

Sources said the jawans were being specially trained in night operations against the Maoists. They were being taught the skills to locate the hideouts in night and conduct operations against them.