Times of India
 
KOLKATA, Nov 2: At least six policemen were injured, three of them critically, in a landmine blast that had targeted the convoy of chief minister Buddhadeb  Bhattacharjee and steel minister Ram Vilas Paswan in West Bengal on Sunday, police said.

Police said the blast took place near Bhadutala in West Midnapore district when the two leaders were returning after the foundation stone laying ceremony of a 10 million tonne steel plant.

"Six policemen were injured in the landmine blast. The blast took place just after the VVIP convoy passed through that place. There are no reports of any deaths," state Inspector General of Police (Western Range) Kuldeep Singh said.

Witnesses said the last pilot car of the convoy was hit by the explosion. The injured were taken to a district health care centre.

A bomb disposal squad and a contingent of police led by Singh reached the spot. They cordoned off the entire area and launched a search operation in the district.