Maoist IED Blast in Jharkhand: The injured men were airlifted to Ranchi.

Eleven security personnel were injured in a blast by Maoists in Jharkhand early this morning.

An improvised explosive device (IED) exploded at about 5 am in a forest in Kuchai area of Saraikela, injuring eight men of the 209 CoBRA battalion and three cops. A joint team of the 209 CoBRA battalion and Jharkhand police was out on a special operation.

After the blast, the Maoists fired at the security personnel who fired in return. The Maoists have escaped.

The IED was buried under a dirt track, officials were quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

CoBRA or the Commando Battalion for Resolute Action, a specialised unit of the CRPF, is deployed in the state for anti-Maoist operation.

The area has been cordoned off, evacuation process is complete and the injured men were airlifted to Ranchi.