Maoists engineer blast in Gaya, two killed

GAYA - At least two security personnel lost their lives and over seven others were injured in a bomb that exploded in Bihar’s Gaya District during the voting for the sixth and final phase of Bihar Assembly polls on Saturday.

It has been reported that the security personnel were trying to defuse the bomb, when it exploded.

The injured have been rushed to the nearby hospital.

Earlier today, a Railway Protection Force (RPF) constable was injured in a mine explosion triggered by Maoists.

The incident reportedly took place while the security personnel were crossing a hilly dry rivulet on foot near Gaya’s Barachatti Police Station.

“Maoists detonated a pressure-mine inflicting splinter injuries to one constable,” said Bihar Director General of Police Neelmani.

Amid a poll boycott call by Naxalites, an estimated 41 percent votes were cast till 2 PM today in 26 Assembly constituencies spread over Buxar, Kaimur, Rohtas, Aurangabad and Gaya districts.

A total of 426 candidates, including 43 women, are in the fray in the last phase of elections.

Prominent candidates in fray include Speaker and Janata Dal-United leader Uday Narayan Choudhary (Imamganj), Bharatiya Janata Party Minister Awadhesh Narayan Singh (Dehri), Janata Dal -United ministers Chhedi Paswan (Mohania) and Anil Kumar (Tekari).

The State is in the process of electing a new 243-seat assembly.

Counting of votes will take place on November 24. (ANI)