Bhubaneswar, April 6: Police had a close shave as Maoists blasted a landmine at Kalimela in Malkangiri. The security personnel had gone to Kalimela to remove vote boycott posters put up by the Maoists.

Malkangiri police superintendent Akhileswar Singh said the landmine exploded shortly after the police removed the posters.

However, two cows that were grazing nearby areas were killed in the blast.

Panic gripped the area following the blast and traffic came to a standstill. Combing operation was intensified in the area following the incident, said a source in the police.

The Maoists had put up posters on the main road at Gamphakunda Chhak calling upon the people to boycott the ensuing polls.

The Maoists had also asked the state government to stop Operation Green Hunt and demanded withdrawal of BSF forces from the district.