A civilian was killed and three CRPF personnel were injured when suspected Maoists triggered a landmine blast near Otar village in Jharkhand's West Singhbhum district on Tuesday.

 

The blast took place near Otar, 80 km from Ranchi, when the CRPF personnel were returning to their camp at Bandgaon on foot after a long range overnight patrolling, district superintendent of police S K Jha said.

 

Apprehending landmine traps, the personnel were walking to their camp while the driver was driving the unoccupied bus loaded with their luggage when the vehicle drove over the landmine.

 

The driver, who was identified as Chandan Kumar of Kurulia village, was killed on the spot while three CRPF men, who were some distance away from the bus, suffered shrapnel wounds, Jha said.

 

The condition of one of the injured was serious and he was sent to Apollo Hospital in Ranchi.

 

The other two were given first aid at a health centre in neighbouring Khunti district, he said. 

 

19 May 2009, PTI