A policeman was killed and five others were critically injured in a landmine blast by Maoists near Maker police station in Bihar's Saran district today.
Saran superintendent of police Mithilesh Kumar said the blast occurred in the afternoon when the head of Maker block Guddu Sharma was on way to his office, 75km from Patna.
Due to the blast, his vehicle was blown to pieces and Sharma's bodyguard was killed on the spot, he said.
The five injured, including Sharma and his driver, were rushed to Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH), Kumar said.Kumar said Sharma, who had been attacked several times in the past by Maoists, had allegedly used his musclepower and became the Maker block head in 2006 and he was still in the post.
In August, 2007, Kumar had a providential escape but his wife, uncle and another person were killed by the Maoists.
Sharma's brother Nidu was the most wanted criminal of Saran belt and was killed in a gangwar in the district in 2007.
Special Task Force of Bihar Police and the district armed police were deployed in the area and combing operation launched to track the culprits.
Patrolling was intensified as tension ran high in the area, the SP added.
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