By Deba Prasad Dash
Malkangiri(Odisha), July 16: The number of policemen killed in the Maoist attack in Malkangiri district of Odisha increased to 26 by late on Wednesday evening with recovery of bodies from the blast site.

With the Maoist attack on the Andhra Pradesh Greyhound commandos in Balimela reservoir on June 29 still fresh in mind, the Maoists operating in the region had once again shown their prowess by killing the policemen.

The extremist triggered the landmine blast when the policemen, including some Special Operation Group personnel, were returning from MV-41 village where the house of Subal Bala, a contractor and local BJP leader, was looted by the Maoist on Tuesday night.

According to District Collector Nitin Bhanudas Jawale, who was in New Delhi to attend a meeting on the naxal problem, all the 26 policemen travelling in the vehicle had been killed on the spot.

The intensity of the blast was so high that the anti-landmine vehicle carrying the policemen was thrown up to 40 ft height.

In Bhubaneswar, Governor Syed Sibte Razi and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik condemned the Maoist attack.

The state government announced that the families of the policemen killed in the naxal attack will be provided Rs 4 lakh each as compassionate grant and Rs 10 lakh each as insurance money. One member of the family of each deceased policemen will be given government job.