CRPF jawans escape unhurt in landmine blast in Bihar

A CRPF patrol had a narrow escape when Maoist rebels detonated a landmine on Bakhri-Bhitiharwa road in east Champaran district, around 210 kms from Patna, on Thursday afternoon during the poll process, police said.

A CRPF patrol had a narrow escape when Maoist rebels detonated a landmine on Bakhri-Bhitiharwa road in east Champaran district, around 210 kms from Patna, on Thursday afternoon during the poll process, police said.

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No casualty was reported as the blast occurred seconds before the security personnel were to cross the road in the stretch where the explosive was planted, Additional Director General,(HQ) Neelmani told PTI.

He said the jawans were walking with a magistrate down the stretch and their vehicle was moving at a very slow speed on the dusty road when the land mine went off.

The security personnel, Neelmani said, were unharmed as they had been following the drill prescribed by the state police headquarters to avoid travelling in vehicles on dusty tracks.

Soon after the blast the CRPF personnel open 'burst fire' to scare away the naxalites, who could have been nearby, the official said.

One person was taken into custody on suspicion and was being interrogated, he said, adding the entire area had been cordoned off and combing operations launched.

There was no no disruption of election process, he claimed, adding that, reinforcements were sent.