In Orissa, at least nine security personnel of elite Special Operation Group, SOG, have been killed and 8 others seriously injured in a landmine blast by Maoists at Mantriamba, about 50-kilometres from Koraput this morning.<br/><br/>The SOG personnel were travelling in a vehicle from Malkangiri to Baipariguda in Koraput district to clear roads obstructed by the Maoists. DIG of Police (Southern Range), Sanjib Panda told our Correspondent that one SOG personnel travelling in the vehicle, is yet to be traced.<br/> <br/>Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has strongly condemned the cowardly act of Maoists. He announced an ex-gratia of eight lakh rupees and an insurance sum of ten lakh rupees to the kin of those security personnel killed in a landmine blast. <br/><br/>The chief minister said one member of the family of each of the victims will be provided jobs while their widows will be entitled to get their salary till their retirement age.