Two policemen were today injured by a land mine explosion triggered by suspected Maoists near Pirakata in Lalgarh in West Midnapore district. A senior police officer of West Midnapore district told PTI that the number of injured might increase.

"There were probably two explosions," he said. The incident occurred when the security personnel, part of joint forces, were walking from Pirakata police camp to a jungle near Burisole for an operation. The injured, whose identity was yet to be known, have been rushed to a hospital, he said.

According to police sources, the Maoists opened fire at the patrolling party just after the explosion, following which the forces retaliated.