How 3 men risked their lives to save Shukla

His condition continues to be critical, but stable Raipur: Veteran Congress leader VC Shukla , who was injured in May 25 Naxal attack in Chhattisgarh, continues to be critical but stable. He is undergoing treatment at the Medanta Hospital in Gurgaon. It was three men who saved Shukla's life. Courage under fire by the three men ensured former MP Chief Minister VC Shukla lived after the deadly Naxal attack in the jungles of Chhattisgarh. Daulat Ram, VC Shukla's secretary, Bala, his driver and bodyguard Praful Shukla fought with brains and brawn.

"Praful took the position and fired at our attackers. He told VC Shukla that he was running out of bullets and that he won't survive, Bala said. "If my husband had more bullets he could have defended himself better and could have prevented any harm to VC Shukla," Praful's wife Usha Shukla. But not all of them lived. Praful shukla , VC Shukla's PSO fought the Naxals for hours under a hail of bullets despite being armed only with a pistol. He was hit by seven bullets, his hand mutiliated, Shukla shot himself dead after saying sorry to VC Shukla. By then the firing had stopped and the Congress leaders were sitting ducks.Those who got away say the Naxals knocked on every car and passed instructions in Telegu to kill all occupants. That's when Shukla's Telegu speaking driver came in. "When they opened the driver side of the car, I got out and begged them not to harm us. I said that we were not local politicians," Bala said. The Maoists moved on but VS Shukla had taken four bullet hits by then and was bleeding. "I reached the spot and VC Shukla was not well. I told the attackers that whatever happens I had to take him to the hospital immediately," VC Shukla's secretary Daulat Ram said. A bullet ridden car tells the story of the three brave men who ensured that VC Shukla lived but the family Praful left behind is struggling. "No one has reassured me that my family will be given support," Praful's wife Usha Shuklasaid. (IBNLIVE)