BSF soldier injured in blast in Odisha

A blast in Malkangiri district injured a Border Security Force soldier when security forces were returning after carrying out a combing operation in the area.

Malkangiri: A border security force (BSF) jawan was critically injured during an improvised explosive device (IED) blast near Gogpadar village in Odisha on Sunday. The incident was reported from Mathili block in Malkangiri.

The jawan, identified as Dharmendra Sahoo, sustained grievous injuries on his left leg and has been hospitalised.

The injured jawan has been airlifted to Raipur for treatment.

"A BSF jawan has injured critically in a landmine explosion during a search operation at Gugapadar under Mathili police limits in Malkangiri. The jawan has been shifted to Raipur by helicopter for further treatment," said Bijaypal Singh, Assistant Commandant, BSF.

The explosion took place when security forces were returning after carrying out a combing operation in the area. Sources said that the IED was planted by Maoists.

The combing operation was intensified in the region after the mishap.

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With inputs from agency