DIMAPUR, FEB 8 (MExN): Three Naga police officers belonging to 9th Battalion (IR) Nagaland, a Sub-Inspector of Chattisgarh Police and a civilian were killed in a mine blast planted by Maoists near Bairamgarh town along the highway liking the district HQ of Bijapur in Bastar forest area of Chattisgarh early this morning.
According to the IGP Nagaland Armed Police, O. Alem, the blast took place 70 kms away from the Battalion HQ of the Nagaland IR around 9:30 to 10 in the morning. According to police sources the powerful landmine exploded while they (the patrolling forces) were trying to defuse it at Bhairamgarh in Bijapur. The personnel were on their regular duty for securing the area as a result of a blast which took place in the town the night before.
Of the three among the dead from Nagaland Armed Police, Assistant Commandant Suratho Pochury and Naik Wati Ao died on the spot while ASI Apong Chang succumbed to death on his way to hospital, reports said.
Reports received here said that the slain bodies were expected to reach Nagaland on Saturday, February 9. The IGP of Nagaland Armed Police will be leaving for Chattisgarh tomorrow, February 7.
Meanwhile, according to the Dantewada superintendent of police, Om Prakash Pal, the casualty resulted owing to a clever ploy of the Maoists who adopted a second mechanism by planting a concealed explosive within the bomb which was first defused by the bomb disposal squad. “While the security forces were examining the already defused bomb after disconnecting it, another hidden bomb exploded”, said Pal.
The IGP in-charge of anti-Maoist operations Girdhari Nayak told Hindustan Times that this is an unusual entrap by the naxals.
