The banned Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) Sunday owned up responsibility for killing seven people, including a former commander of the outlawed Ranvir Sena, in a landmine blast in Bihar's Aurangabad district.

 

 The massive blast took place near Pisai village Thursday evening, about 120 km from here.

 

 "The people's guerilla army attacked Sunil Pandey (a former commander of the outlawed Ranvir Sena which is a private army of upper caste landlords), to avenge the killing of innocent persons by the Sena," CPI-Maoist spokesperson Natwar told mediapersons here.

 

 Police had lodged the first information report (FIR) against seven people and 50 "unknown" people. Combing operations have been intensified against Maoists in Aurangabad, which is considered their stronghold, officials said.

 

 According to a district police official, Pandey, husband of a district council member,  was on the hit list of the Maoists and they had threatened to kill him after he was released from jail recently.