PTI
Kolkata, Jun 22: Maoists on Monday targeted an anti-landmine vehicle in Jharkhand as a 48-hour strike called by them began in five states, where security has been put on high alert.
The vehicle was on its way to Ghatshila in East Singhbhum district bordering West Bengal when Maoists set off a landmine. Police said the vehicle was not damaged and there were no reports of any casualty.
The bandh has been called by the Maoists in West Bengal, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Orissa in protest against security forces storming Lalgarh in West Midnapore district of West Bengal.
In Malkangiri in Orissa, two Maoists were gunned down in a fierce battle with police, district police chief Satyabrat Bhoi said.
The gun battle took place when a team of police and jawans of the elite Special Operation Group (SOG) were conducting a combing operation in a forest area and the ultras opened fire from their hide-out, he said.
The operation had been launched after three Maoists opened fire during a checking by the police here last night and escaped into the forest. No one was injured in the incident.
In the restive Lalgarh in West Midnapore district, which was reclaimed by the security forces on Saturday, CRPF, BSF and West Bengal police personnel intensified their operations.