2 BSF men killed in IED blast in Odisha

Deputy Commandant Sunil Behera and Head Constable Sibasish Panda died in the blast.

Senior police officials said the blast took place around 12.30 pm. Head constable Panda, who was riding a bike, was killed on the spot while pillion rider and commander of the squad Behera succumbed to injuries later. “The bike was tossed several feet up in the air due to the impact of the blast,” officials said.

Officials said that on Thursday night, around 50 suspected Maoists reached Dandabadi village and tied up Samant with his wife. He was accused of being a police informer, paraded around the village and then shot dead. The suspected Maoists also burnt down Samant’s mini truck and looted his shop, said officials.

The blast took place on a day CM Naveen Patnaik told senior police officers that resurgence of Maoist violence in four districts was a cause for concern.

“Left-wing extremism continues to be a major concern for the state. Though we have been able to contain the menace to areas bordering our neighbouring states, recent movement and activities of the Maoist cadre in districts of Bolangir, Kalahandi, Kandhamal and Boudh is worrisome,” he said at the annual conference of senior police officers.