At least four personnel of the Border Security Force (BSF), including a commandant were killed in an IED (improvised explosive device) blast triggered by suspected left-wing ultras in Malkanagiri district on Friday.
The incident sent shock waves in the state on the eve of the three-tier panchayat polls, the voting for which starts tomorrow. The ultras have given call to boycott the elections in many Naxal-infested districts. The BSF squad was targeted at Janbai area under Chitrakonda police station in the Naxal-infested district at around 1 pm, while the officers were returning in their vehicles after attending a meeting with the district administration.
The victims have been identified as commandant (107 battalion) G R Khaswan, second-in-commandant Rajesh Saran, inspector Ashok and assistant sub inspector (ASI) Jitendra.
The red rebels attack have put the police on high alert in other Naxal infested districts in south Orissa like Kandhamal, Rayagada, Gajapati and Koraput.
“We have taken all precautionary measure for smooth conduct of the elections,” said deputy inspector general (southern division) RK Sharma. Although, one constable and one home-guard will be deployed in the sensitive and non-sensitive booths respectively, the forces available for anti-Naxal operations in Kandhamal district would be utilized for the area domination, the DIG said.
