Tuesday, March 14 2006 15:08 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Nagpur: Twenty five jawans of the patrolling party of the Special Task Force (STF) had a miraculous escape when a group of naxalites triggered a powerful landmine blast and later fired at them, near Pendhari forest in Gadchiroli district early today (Mar 14 2006), police said.

The incident took place when policemen, numbering 12 and 13 were travelling in two separate anti-landmine vehicles, after completing an anti-naxal operation, police said.

The landmine blasts triggered by the naxals, tossed one of the two vehicles in the air at an height of 20 to 25 feet, police said adding, a group of about 50 to 60 naxalites opened fire on the STF personnel. However, no one was injured in the firing.

The commandoes in the vehicle thrown in the air, suffered minor injuries, as the vehicle came down, sources said.

Impact of the blast was so severe that it created a five to six feet deep crater at the blast spot.

Combing operations have been launched, with senior police officials monitoring the situation, sources added.

The exchange of fire continued till the naxals fled into the jungles, police said.

Additional reinforcements have been rushed to the spot. While injured policemen were admitted to a hospital in Gadchiroli, sources added.