<p>The blast took place in Maoist-dominated MV-66 area, about 40 km from here, when a van carrying the CRPF personnel was on its way from Kalimela to Gompagunda probably to pick up rations, Malkangiri Superintendent of Police Satyabrata Bhoi said.<br /><br />The landmine was planted at a culvert and exploded when the van passed over it, he said.<br />CRPF deputy commandant Bhupinder Singh was among the three CRPF men killed.<br />The attack is believed to be part of the Maoist strategy to restrict movement of security forces ahead of their proposed offensive in the region.<br /><br />Additional CRPF jawans and state police personnel have been rushed to the site, while steps taken for intensifying patrolling in the area, Bhoi said.<br /><br />This was the third attack by Maoists in Malkangiri this month. A guest house of a private steel company in Chitrakonda area was torched and a bridge over a rivulet was blown up on the other two occasions.</p>
<p>The blast took place in Maoist-dominated MV-66 area, about 40 km from here, when a van carrying the CRPF personnel was on its way from Kalimela to Gompagunda probably to pick up rations, Malkangiri Superintendent of Police Satyabrata Bhoi said.<br /><br />The landmine was planted at a culvert and exploded when the van passed over it, he said.<br />CRPF deputy commandant Bhupinder Singh was among the three CRPF men killed.<br />The attack is believed to be part of the Maoist strategy to restrict movement of security forces ahead of their proposed offensive in the region.<br /><br />Additional CRPF jawans and state police personnel have been rushed to the site, while steps taken for intensifying patrolling in the area, Bhoi said.<br /><br />This was the third attack by Maoists in Malkangiri this month. A guest house of a private steel company in Chitrakonda area was torched and a bridge over a rivulet was blown up on the other two occasions.</p>