Maoists blow up mobile tower

MALKANGIRI: Maoists blew up a mobile tower of a private telecom operator in Orissa's Malkangiri district in a bid to disrupt communication network in their stronghold, police sources said today.

About 50 heavily-armed Naxals came to Nilakamberu area on the outskirt of Balimela town late last night and triggered a landmine blast destroying the tower, the sources said.

The ultras then disappeared into the nearby forest raising slogans against the government and security forces.

The sound of the explosion made the citizens rush out of their houses in panic.

Security personnel did not follow the Maoists immediately as there could have been landmines on the road, the sources said.

During the last fortnight, the Maoists have unleashed several attacks in the district blowing up a mobile tower of BSNL, a school building, a panchayat office and its godown using landmines.