Maoists trigger landmine blast in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: A member of the special operation group (SOG) was hurt when a landmine planted by Maoists exploded Thursday in a forest in Odisha`s Rayagada district, police said. The landmine exploded as a group of the elite anti-Maoist force was walking in the forest in Kalyansinghpur area as part of routine combing operations, district Superintendent of Police Rajesh Pandit said

"It was a low intensity blast. One SOG jawan sustained minor injuries," he said. Maoists are active in more than half the state`s 30 districts. Rayagada district, about 400 km from here, is considered one of their strongholds. IANS