About 40 BSF jawans and policemen on Monday had a narrow escape when a landmine planted by suspected Maoists exploded during the clearance of a road blockade at Erakonda in Malkangiri district, police said.

The incident took place when the BSF jawans and district police personnel were removing trees allegedly felled by Maoists during a bandh called by them two days ago, Malkangiri Superintendent of Police, Akhilesh Singh, said.