Midnapore, Oct. 26: Suspected Maoists triggered a blast under a paramilitary jeep in Belpahari today.

Most jawans escaped unhurt as the explosive went off under its bonnet, but Pramila Hansda, 27, who was in a bus some 50 metres behind, was killed.

A bullet hit her in the mouth during the gun battle that followed the explosion. She died on the way to Calcutta for treatment tonight.

Splinters hit a man on the roof of the bus. Two others, who were inside, were hurt.

The West Midnapore police chief said the jeep was going to a camp near Banspahari, 220km from Calcutta.

“The jawans had a providential escape,” he added. The only jawan injured had a bullet grazing his right arm.

The police found blank SLR cartridges, which suggested the rebels used sophisti-cated weapons. “We have spotted three more improvised explosive devices on the road. The area has been cordoned off,” an officer said.