SPO killed in naxal blast

Jagdalpur, May 31 (UNI) A special police officer (SPO) has been killed in a bomb blast triggered by naxals in Dantewara district of Chhattisgarh's Bastar division last night, police today said.

''Rebels chopped down a tree last night to block a road near Ermanar village. As soon as a police team reached the spot, the naxals opened fire and set off a landmine. Retaliatory action led to the extremists fleeing,'' said Inspector-General T J Langkumer.

At that juncture, a pressure bomb injured SI Lalchand Sharma, SPOs Leela Salam and Anandam Pandi. Mr Pandi succumbed while being rushed to hospital.

UNI XC-AC VD VC1832