Two civilian killed, 8 jawans injured in Orissa landmine blast

At least two civilians, including a woman, were killed and eight security personnel injured in a landmine blast triggered by Maoists in the district on Saturday.

"Two civilians were killed and eight members of the elite anti-naxalite Special Operation Group (SOG) injured in the landmine blast incident this morning," Deputy Inspector General (DIG - southern range) Sanjeev Panda told PTI.

The incident took place at Jugipalur area this morning when ten SOG jawans were returning to their barracks after conducting combing operation at Narayanpatna in a passenger trekker.

Though eight of the ten jawans sustained injuries in the incident, no one was serious, the DIG said, adding that the identity of the deceased civilians was yet to be identified.

In another attack, armed Maoists blew up a mobile phone tower in Machhkund area of the district, besides ransacking the tehsil office and setting afire official records and documents, District SP Anup Kumar Sahu said.

Vehicular movement between Machhkund and Lamptapur was disrupted as the Maoists blocked the connecting road by felling trees, he said, adding steps were being taken to remove the obstacles.