PATNA Sept. 8. Twelve police personnel, including the officer-in-charge of the Chutia police station, all travelling in a jeep, were today killed in a landmine blast triggered by naxalites near Dabua Mod, 90 km from Sasaram, the headquarters of Rohtas district.

The police officer, Vijay Kumar Tudu, recently transferred was on his way to join duty at Tilauthu, when the incident took place. The hand of the two banned outfits, MCC(I) and the PWG, is suspected in the blast. The naxalites took away six rifles, a revolver and some ammunition.