Jawan injured in Maoist landmine blast

BALANGIR (ODISHA): A jawan of Odisha's elite Special Operaton Group (SOG) was seriously injured in a landmine explosion triggered by Maoists in Turekala area of Balangir district, police said today.

"The jawan was engaged in combing operation in a forest area near Kameimunda village yesterday when the landmine went off," Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Titilagarh, Dillip Purohit said.

The jawan was first taken to Patnagarh Sub-Divisional hospital and then shifted to District Headequarters Hospital here. He was later shifted to VSS Medical College Hospital at Burla where his condition was stated to be serious, police said.

Three days ago, Maoists had set afire a JCB machine and tractors in the forest of Turekela which were used for road construction works.

Combing operation is being intensified in the area after the incident, the SDPO said.