Phulbani: Security personnel had a narrow escape as a powerful landmine planted by Maoists in a forest road in Odisha's Kandhamal district was detected and defused by them today, police said.
The landmine weighing about 7 kg and kept in an aluminium container had been planted beneath the road inside the forest in Gochhapada area, about 40 km from here, Deputy Superintendent of Police (Phulbani) Arjun Barik said.
The landmine was detected when CRPF personnel and district policemen were carrying out a combing operation in the Maoist-hit forest area, he said.
The explosive device was retrieved and defused by the bomb disposal squad before it could cause any damage, the DSP said.
Combing operation has been stepped up in the area after the incident, he said.