Maoists blew up a bridge over a rivulet in Orissa's Malkangiri district on Tuesday, in an apparent bid to disrupt movement of security forces ahead of the proposed anti-naxal operation.
The newly-constructed bridge which was yet to be fully operational was blown up by ultras with the help of landmine in MV-77 village under Kalimela police station area, Superintendent of Police Satyabrata Bhoi said.
Though no one was injured in the incident, road communication was affected in the Maoist-infested area where a major offensive is proposed to be launched shortly against the ultras, police said.
Additional force was immediately sent to the site and efforts were on to nab the ultras involved in the incident, police said, adding patrolling was intensified in Kalimela area.
Steps were also taken to tighten security at vital installations.