BSF jawan dies in a landmine blast in Orrisa

02 September, 2012

A day after Maoists called a bandh to protest, what they called fake encounters of tribals, a BSF Jawan died while another sustained injuries after suspected Maoists detonated a landmine in Lakshmipur area of Orrisa.

A BSF jawan Javier Kindo of Jharkhand died and another jawan sustained injuries in a landmine blast at Patamunda village under Lakshmipur police station limits in Koraput District of Odisha on Saturday, according to the police sources.

According to the sources, a number of BSF jawans were on their way back to Pallur camp between Lakshmipur and Narayanpatna after completing combing operation when a landmine planted by suspected Maoists exploded.

Kindo succumbed on the spot and another jawan Dhirendra Sahu got critically injured, who was later shifted to Koraput District headquarter hospital. The Maoists had called a bandh on Friday to protest the killing of tribals in the name of encounters by police. The Maoists had also blocked the roads between Koraput and Rayagada by felling trees.

The police confirmed standard operating procedure (SOP) was carefully followed to avoid untoward incidents. The BSF camp at Pallur village had sealed the borders and cordoned off the entire area and the police had intensified the combing operation. The communication from Lakshmipur Narayanpatna has been completely disrupted. South Western Range DIG of Police S. Devdutta Singh reviewed the situation with police officials.