Trooper killed in Bengal landmine blast by Maoists

KOLKATA - An elite anti-Maoist battalion central trooper was killed and four others were injured in a landmine blast during an exchange of fire between the security forces and the guerrillas in West Bengal’s Purulia district, an official said Saturday.

“There was a landmine blast while the gunbattle was on,” State Home Secretary Samar Ghosh said.

He said the victims belonged to the Combat Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) unit of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), which was conducting a search operation in the Dekai forest under Jhalda police station.

Purulia District Police Superintendent Sunil Chowdhury said the ultras fired at the security personnel who retaliated.

Five security personnel sustained injuries in the explosion. Of them, one succumbed to injuries later.