Rediff.com« Back to articlePrint this article

Two civilians killed, 8 jawans injured in Orissa landmine blast

January 23, 2010 15:46 IST

At least two civilians, including a woman, were killed and eight security personnel injured in a landmine blast triggered by Maoists in Orissa's Koraput district on Saturday.

"Two civilians were killed and eight members of the elite anti-Naxalite Special Operation Group injured in the landmine blast incident today morning," said Deputy Inspector General (southern range) Sanjeev Panda.

The incident took place at Jugipalur area today morning when ten SOG jawans were returning to their barracks after conducting combing operations at Narayanpatna in a passenger trekker.

Though eight of the ten jawans sustained injuries in the incident, their condition was stable, the DIG said, adding that deceased civilians were yet to be identified.

In another attack, armed Maoists blew up a mobile phone tower in Machhkund area of the district, besides ransacking the tehsil office and setting afire official records and documents, District Superintendent of Police Anup Kumar Sahu said.

Vehicular movement between Machhkund and Lamptapur was disrupted as the Maoists blocked the connecting road by felling trees, he said, adding that steps were being taken to remove the obstacles.

© Copyright 2024 PTI. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of PTI content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent.