Landmine blasts kill one, injure three in poll-bound Jharkhand

A security person was killed and another injured in two landmine blasts triggered by Maoists at Jharkhand’s Palamau and West Singhbhum districts during the fifth and final phase of the state assembly elections today.

The rebels blasted a landmine at Mahur in Hussainabad constituency in Palamau district, SP Jatin Narwal said.

Havildar Satyandra Singh of the Jharkhand Armed Police, who suffered splinter injuries in the explosion triggered during patrolling in the area, was rushed to a hospital at Mohammadganj, where he died of his injuries four hours later, Mr. Narwal said.

Two other security personnel who were also injured were airlifted to Ranchi, he said. A brief encounter took place between policemen and Maoists shortly after the explosion, he said.

In West Singhbhum district, a security person was injured when the Maoists triggered a landmine blast at Titlighat in Saranda Forest under Jagannathpur constituency, IGP V H Deshmukh told PTI.

Additional reinforcements have been rushed there, he said. The final phase of the assembly elections for 81 seats was held on Friday in areas where Maoists have a strong presence.