Bijapur (Chhattisgarh), Jan 23 (IANS): In the dense forests of Bijapur village, Padeda, a Maoist hub, has little to boast of in terms of healthcare facility, roads and logistics.

On Monday, Boondi, a pregnant woman in advanced labour, needed angels to save her own life and that of the yet to be born baby. CRPF jawans in Bijapur, who were patrolling the Maoist-affected area, proved to be just the angels the lady in distress needed.

People in Padeda informed Commander Avinash Rai about Boondi's plight and he readily offered to help. Several villagers joined the effort to foot out a 6 km stretch in about 40 tense minutes with Boondi in acute pain.

They shouldered her on a cot and walked to the nearest point which could provide an ambulance. Boondi was rushed to the hospital in the ambulance to Bijapur where she gave birth to a male child. Both mother and son are fine.

Such stories of soldiers going beyond the call of duty to turn good Samaritans are rare, given the intense conflict between the Maoists and the forces that has continued for over 50 years now.