Midnapore (WB): Four jawans of the Eastern Frontier Rifles (EFR) were killed in a powerful landmine blast during a combing operation against suspected MCC (Maoist Communist Centre) and PW (People's War) ultras in Ramgarh forest in West Midnapore district this evening, official sources said.

The blast followed an armed encounter between the militants and the paramilitary EFR and the police on a joint combing operation in the jurisdiction of the Lalgarh police station in the district, police said in Kolkata.

The blast was powerful, District Magistrate Chandan Sinha told sources in Midnapore.

Superintendent of Police Vineet Goel rushed to the spot with reinforcements.