A Central Reserve Police Force jawan was killed and two others were injured on Friday in a landmine triggered by Maoists opposing the Republic Day celebrations and blocking the state highway at several places.
On a tip-off that the Maoists had blocked the highway between Motu and Kalimela villages by felling trees, the CRPF jawans headed for these places but were caught in the blast midway in a village, about 60 km from Malkangiri, police said.
They said that at least seven jawans were on three motorcycles when the Maoists triggered the blast killing one of them, Havaldar Ghanashyam Singh, on the spot and injuring two.
After the blasts, the Maoists hid in the nearby places and fired at security personnel who returned the fire. The road blockades had been erected by the Naxalites to oppose the Republic Day celebrations, the police said.
Superintendent of Police Himanshu Kumar Lal, who was at the district level parade, reached the spot immediately. Among the injured in the blast was a CRPF head constable, Umashankar Singh, who was rushed to district headquarter hospital.
Another person, who suffered minor injuries, was let discharged after the first aid. Security personnel, who rushed to Telrai and Vejangwada on being informed of the road blockades, were also fired at by the ultras, the police said.
In Bhubaneswar, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik expressed grief over the attack and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 3 lakh to the next of kin of the CRPF Havaldar. The state government will also bear the cost of the treatment of the injured persons, he said.