13 securitymen killed in landmines explosion, 3 seriously injured

Bokaro, Dec 2 (UNI) At least 13 security personnel were killed and three others seriuosly injured, when Maoist rebels triggered landmines at Kanchkiro, 5 km from Bokaro Thermal police station in this naxalite-dominated district of Jharkhand today.

Supeintendent of Police Manabendra Singh Bhatia confimed 13 deaths, saying three other personnel of Special Task Force were critically injured.

Mr Singh said the STF personnel going by a vehicle were carrying out random raids in the area when landmines exploded at a culvert, killing many of them on the spot.

Senior police officials rushed to the spot to take stock of the situation.

Massive manhunt was on to nab the culprits.

It had been a major cause of concern for the security forces particulalry in Latehar, Chatra and Bokaro districts as the banned naxalite groups plant landmines at several strategic places hampering swift movement of security vehicles.

In the past few months, landmines exploded in these areas leaving many policemen killed.

UNI XC-PRS SJC KLC1754