Malkangiri: A team of BSF Jawans had a narrow escape when a landmine planted by the Maoists was detected and defused at Swabhiman Anchal in the district on Sunday.
The jawans detected the explosives when they were on their way for combing operation in Pipalapadar and Nakmamudi area. Later it was defused by a bomb disposal squad led by Assistant Commandant Bijay Pal averting a possible mishap.
According to sources, active surveillance and patrolling by the jawans have minimised Maoists activities in the region to a larger extent in the last few months. Out of desperation Maoists are targeting security forces by planting landmines at various places.
Earlier on October 11, a team of CRPF jawans had diffused a landmine planted by Maoists at K Balanga area of Sundergarh district.
The 12-15 kg IED had been packed in a steel container and was filled with liquid explosives and sharp iron splinters. Its detonator was fitted with command mechanism on a kutcha track of Hatigurah village in the foothills near Jharberha area.
The security personnel had stumbled upon the landmine during a combing operation. The IED was destroyed on the spot.
Similarly on September 19, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel had a narrow escape when at least three landmines were detected and defused along the national highway near Kalberu of Malkangiri-Telangana bordering area.
The jawans of the paramilitary force were on patrolling when they saw some patches of land being dug nearly 500 mts away from the CRPF camp.
Smelling foul play, the jawans carried out an inspection only to find three landmines being planted by Maoists. They later called up the bomb squad who subsequently defused the landmines.
(Rashmi Ranjan Mohanty)