10 police officers, driver killed in Central India blast – Maoists suspected
- Rebel Maoists – who ascribe to a form of communism developed by Mao Zedong – carried out the attack in the Dantewada district, police said
- They say they are fighting to give poor farmers and labourers control over their land and a claim on mineral wealth exploited by companies
Ten policemen and a civilian driver were killed in a blast in the central Indian state of Chhattisgarh on Wednesday as they were returning from an operation against ultra left-wing guerillas in the state, local police officials said.
Rebel Maoists are suspected of having carried out the attack in the state’s Dantewada district, they said. The victims were part of the District Reserve Guard (DRG).
“When they were returning after the operation, which was carried out following a tip-off, the DRG vehicle was targeted using an improvised explosive device [IED],” Inspector General of Police P. Sunderraj said.
“Additional reinforcements and senior officers have reached the spot and the bodies of the deceased are being evacuated,” he said.
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Indian Maoist rebels kill at least 22 security force members in bloodiest attack in 4 years
Rebel Maoists, who ascribe to a form of communism developed by Mao Zedong, have been waging an armed struggle against Indian government forces for decades, particularly in rural areas of central and eastern India where they have some support.