After Malkangiri, police thwarted another possible blast attempt by Maoists by seizing an IED along road at Kichatpadar under Sadar police limits in Kalahandi on Monday. It is suspected that the explosives were planted by the rebels who have also called for a bandh in seven districts of Odisha.
The bandh is being observed in Rayagada, Ganjam, Kandhamal, Kalahandi, Boudh, Nayagarh and Gajapati. The rebels had also released an audio tape in this regard.
The impact of the bandh was felt in Simanbadi area in Kandhamal district. Most of the markets remained closed in fear of the rebels, sources said.
A Maoist poster of Baghuna Division on 12-point charter of demands was also recovered alongside the National Highway 59 yesterday.
It is pertinent to mention here that a major tragedy was averted after the security personnel detected explosives planted by the red rebels in Malkangiri district on Sunday.
The IED was planted by the ultras to target the jawans and other forces in the area, sources said. The explosives were planted near a culvert and the jawans of 142 battalion of the Border Security Force (BSF) jawans successfully defused the three kilograms of IED after getting information.