Naxalites trigger landmine; 1CRPF jawan killed

Malkangiri, Orissa, Jan 26: One CRPF Jawan was killed and another seriously injured in a landmine blast triggered by the Naxalites near Telarai village, abour 7 kms from Kalimela police station today.

Police said the CRPF jawans while patrolling were proceeding towards Motu from Kalimela when they noticed the road being blocked by trees near Telarai village close to MV126 village.

The CRPF jawans tried to clear the road when the landmine exploded injuring the two jawans. While one of them succumbed to the injuries at the Kalimela Hospital, the other was shifted to the Malkangiri Hospital.

Soon after the landmine blast, the naxalites opened fire at the CRPF jawans who retaliated but no one was injured in the incident.

Malkangiri Superintendent of Police Himansu Kumar Lal rushed to the spot with additional reinforcement and launched a combing operation to flush out the naxalites.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Naveen Pattnaik has announced an ex-gratia of Rs three lakh to the next of the kin of the deceased and free medical treatment to the injured.

UNI