Two landmines with 75 kg explosives unearthed in Dantewada

A major tragedy was averted after two Naxal-planted landmines carrying 50 and 25 kg explosives were unearthed today from a national highway in Dantewada, barely days after an IED blast left eight CRPF personnel dead in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district.

A special police team unearthed the landmines from NH-221 near Manikonta village in Errabor following a tip off that ultras had placed explosives deep under the road, Dantewada Superintendent of Police Amresh Mishra told PTI.

Naxals also fired at the team which reached there to de-mine the road. The gun-battle continued for over 30 minutes following which Maoists fled the spot.

There were, however, no casualties in the encounter and operations were on to remove the landmines, the SP said.

Mishra said they have received information about the presence of more Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and landmines on the highway following which security forces have been pressed into service to scan the stretch.

Maoists might have planned another deadly IED blast after the Bijapur incident on Saturday which claimed the lives of eight CRPF personnel, he said.

Dantewada district has witnessed the deadliest Naxal attack on the security forces last month, where 76 CRPF personnel were trapped and gunned down by the ultras.