Three CRPF personnel, including a deputy commandant, were killed in a landmine blast in Malkangiri in Orissa on Friday. Seven others were injured in the blast triggered by the Maoists.
The incident occurred near MV-66 under the Kalimela police station in the district, about 430 km southwest of here. The CRPF which was shifting its store from MV-79 village to MV-23 village was going in a convoy of 21 vehicles carrying stores materials, police said.
“When the convey reached near MV-66, the landmine blast hit the first vehicle,” Malkangiri SP Satyabrata Bhoi said.
The vehicle blew up to 25 feet, killing deputy commandant Bhupinder Singh (30) and constable Sunil Kumar (35) on the spot. Driver Narendra Kumar (35) succumbed to his injuries in the hospital.
After the blast, CRPF personnel immediately got down from their van and started a search operation. But the Maoists fled into the forest.
This incident comes close on the heels of the Maoists blowing up a newly constructed bridge at MV-77 village on November. On the same day, the Maoists killed three villagers of Pandratala village in neighbouring Rayagada district.
On June 29, 2008, the Maoists had killed 38 security personnel, including 36 from Andhra Pradesh’s Grey Hound force, in the Chitrakonda reservoir in Malkangiri.
{{/usCountry}}On June 29, 2008, the Maoists had killed 38 security personnel, including 36 from Andhra Pradesh’s Grey Hound force, in the Chitrakonda reservoir in Malkangiri.
{{/usCountry}}Maoist violence has resulted in the death of 82 police personnel – including SOG commandos, Andhra Pradesh Grey Hounds, CRPF, OSAP and IRB -- in the district since 1993. Besides, 32 civilians have also been killed by the Maoists in the same period. Eight civilians have been killed only in 2009.