Daltonganj, Dec. 3: A day after the landmine explosion in Latehar, police today recovered four live bombs, prompting the force in Palamau division to issue an alert in the operation against extremists.

Deputy inspector-general of police (Palamau range) Kapil Deo Prasad Singh said no one died in the blast. The landmine was placed during construction of the road.

Unconfirmed reports yesterday said at least six people had died in the landmine explosion triggered by the People’s Guerrilla Army (PGA), the armed wing of the People’s War, in Patki jungle on the Daltonganj-Ranchi road.

Around 6 pm, the PGA rebels targeted a blue private mini-truck laden with goats, as they mistook it to be a police vehicle because of its colour.

Sources said that apart from around 150 goats, five persons, including the driver, co-driver and three cattle traders, were in the truck.

“The traders had picked up the cattle from Satbarwa market in Palamau district. The guerrillas also fired at an oil tanker trailing the truck,” they added.

The tanker’s driver, Gopal, and co-driver, Manas, who was injured in the firing, somehow managed to reach the Latehar police station. Manas Bag, who was admitted to Latehar hospital, is out of danger. DIG Singh said the blast had damaged the Ranchi-Daltonganj Road near the Karmahi more. “The repair work will begin immediately with the help of the administration,” he promised.

Singh said PW area commander Babloojee had a hand in the explosion. Babloojee’s group is active in Barwadih- Chipadohar area of the district. Two persons on a motorcycle, who witnessed the incident, said around 10 extremists were present at the site. The motorcyclist duo lay down on the road to escape the volley of bullets that accompanied the blast.