Maoist Landmine Kills 7, Injures 5 In AOB Area

In what is being seen as a retaliation to the deadly Chitrakonda reversal at the hands of the security forces, the Maoists detonated a landmine on Wednesday evening killing seven jawans and injured five more on the Andhra Odisha border.

The incident occurred near Mogarguma village on Sunki-Salur highway and the victims were members of a BSF convoy on patrol. There were 12 cops and a civilian in the vehicle.

The blast was so intense that it left a seven feed deep crater on the road. Sources said the Maoists had stopped all other vehicles from plying on the road.

The Maoist activities are on the decline in the AOB and over 700, including 26 senior Maoists surrendered during the last one year. As many as 27 Maoists, including several top notch leaders died in a Greyhounds operation in October last year in Chitrakonda area.