1 jawan killed in Maoist ambush in Orissa

A jawan was killed and four others were injured when Maoists ambushed a security party in a forest in Kandhamal district, police said today.

The rebels attacked a 20-strong security party of the India Reserve Battalion (IRB) in Kalingbadi forest under Daringbadi police station area last night killing one jawan and injuring four others, Inspector General of Police (Operations), Sanjeev Marik said. He had earlier said five jawans were injured.

The body of the slain jawan RBH Thakuri was sent to his native place in Manipur and the injured jawans were admitted to hospital.

Two tiffin bombs were recovered from the encounter spot and 18 persons, suspected to have links with Maoists, were detained, additional superintendent of police, Chitta Ranjan Das said.

One injured jawan was identified as Rajiv Kanhar, body guard of Additional Superintendent of Police, Brijesh Kumar.

Protesting police action, Maoists blocked Daringbadi-Kerubadi and Daringbadi-Simanbadi roads by felling trees at three places, Das said.