Dhanbad, Sept. 9: Lack of hi-tech landmine detection devices has made police’s battle against extremists, who have been triggering blasts in various part of the state, ineffective.

The police are concerned over the series of landmine explosions in Giridih recently where former chief minister Babulal Marandi took part in a padyatra as part of a campaign against the rebels.

Though Marandi and industries minister Ravindra Rai had a narrow escape, three people were killed.

The only technology available with the police is the “deep-set mine detector”, which has proved ineffective in counter-insurgency operations in the state, sources said. The police top brass are worried over the failure of the mine detectors during combing operations.

“One of the reasons for the failure of minesweepers is the change of strategy adopted by the rebels. The rebels are aware that the detectors can track landmines planted up to 2.5 ft below the ground. The extremists have now taken to planting mines more than three feet deep to avoid detection,” a police officer said.

Bokaro superintendent of police Anil Palta, who was earlier posted in Palamau, said the police have requested for a 3-D formula — equipment, man and dog. With inadequate equipment and shortage of canines in the “dog squad”, personnel seems to be the only option available to detect landmines.

“The equipment have failed to deliver and there are only a handful of sniffer hounds in the police dog squad,” another senior officer said.

“We are dependent on the intelligence that we gather and the feedback that we receive from villagers,” Palta said.

State director-general of police Rajiv Ranjan Prasad said there was no technology available other than the present equipment. “There is no way that we can detect landmines planted in an area. We have even tried to procure other technologies from the army and the paramilitary,” Prasad said.