Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday condoled the death of four personnel of Border Security Force (BSF) who were killed following a landmine blast targeted at the vehicle of the security personnel in Odisha's Koraput district.
"A convoy of three BSF vehicles carrying 18 personnel was proceeding from Malkangiri to Vizag on administrative duty. The convoy was ambushed by Maoists in Koraput district in which one vehicle was blown up resulting in the death of four BSF personnel and injuring two others. The remaining BSF personnel fought back bravely," he told media here today.
"The enforcements of SOG and Cobra led by the SP Koraput have reached the spot. The Director Intelligence and the IG operations have also reached the spot. To the family members of the martyrs, I express my sincere condolences," he added.
According to reports, the explosion took place around 7.30 am on National Highway-26 leading to Vishakhapatnam. The injured jawans were initially admitted to the Sunki hospital near Ralegada in Koraput district but arrangements were being made to shift them to Vishakhapatnam.
Additional reinforcements from state police and paramilitary have reached the spot and combing operations have begun.
Reports state that the deceased jawans belonged to 161 battalion of the BSF.
The Maoists, who are considered to be India's greatest internal security threat, have off-late intensified their operations in Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Jharkhand, Bihar and some areas of West Bengal.
