Maoists blast landmine in Visakhapatnam district

G Madugula Mandal of Visakhapatnam witnessed a landmine go off on Wednesday, as Maoists targetted police combing parties in the border region of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.

While no casualties have been reported in the blast, a passerby was reportedly minorly injured in the landmine blast. Following the blast, the Maoists and policemen were engaged in a heated exchange of fire.

As per a report by The New Indian Express, the Maoists had planted the landmine targetting the under construction police camp in the area.

On Tuesday night, spotting a few Maoists in the area, the police chased them and as they reach the landmine spot, it was triggered. While the police got away unhurt, a fire was opened between the two parties that reportedly, went on for quite some time.

While a few suspect that the blast might have been to interrupt the construction of the police outpost, more insights on the same are awaited.

A few months ago, two of TDP’s leaders, Kidari Sarveswara Rao and Siveru Somu, were killed in a Maoist attack in Araku.

It was reported that the vehicle of the leaders was stopped by the attackers, who forced them to get down. Weapons of the three security officers, comprising two 9mm pistols and 9mm carbine, were seized by the Maoists giving them no chance to open fire. Subsequently, the two leaders were taken a few meters away from the vehicle and were shot down point black with hands tied.

News Credits: The New Indian Express