8 killed in landmine blast, Naxals loot arms

Jagdalpur, Mar 1 (UNI) Six security personnel were among 8 people killed as a truck boarded by them was ambushed by naxalites with landmines in Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh today, police said.

Naxalites, who triggered the blast around 0830 hours at Darbaguda village on Jagdalpur-Hyderabad road, took away 6 rifles, one grenade, binocular, wireless set and other materials from the spot, Bastar range Inspector General of Police R K Vij said.

Four jawans of the Nagaland Armed Force and two Special Police Officers, besides the truck driver and cleaner were killed on the spot.

The security personnel attached with Injaram police station boarded the sugar-laden truck at Errabore while returning after patrolling. The Sukma-bound truck coming from Andhra Pradesh was badly damaged.

Meanwhile, Special Police Officer Balam Lachhu was hacked to death by naxalites at village Nefed in Tejapur police station area of Dantewada district last night.

UNI