15 security personnel killed in India IED blast

At least 15 security personnel and their civilian driver were reportedly killed in a blast of an improvised explosive device (IED) by suspected Maoist rebels on police vehicles in Maharashtra of India today.

The blast occurred on the Kurkheda-Korchi road in Gadchiroli district of the state this afternoon, our Delhi and Kalkata correspondents report quoting officials and Indian media.

The attackers triggered the IED to blow up the police vehicles on the road when a team of the C-60 commandoes was patrolling the area.

The commandos of anti-Maoist squad Quick Response Team were going for an operation at the site of a separate attack by the ultras who torched 21 vehicles at a road construction site earlier in the day, reports our New Delhi correspondent quoting officials.

As the two vehicles of the security forces passed through Dadapur Road towards Korchi, located about 250 km from Nagpur city, the "Maoists" triggered the blast, they said.

The two vehicles carrying the security personnel were blown away due to the explosions.

Officials said security reinforcements were rushed to the spot for rescue and anti-Maoist combat operations.

The attack by Maoists is believed to be in response to the killing of 40 Maoists by security forces on April 22 last year near Bhamragarh in the district.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi strongly condemned the attack on the security personnel in Gadchiroli, adding that the perpetrators of the attack will not be spared.

"Strongly condemn the despicable attack on our security personnel in Gadchiroli, Maharashtra. I salute all the brave personnel. Their sacrifices will never be forgotten. My thoughts & solidarity are with the bereaved families. The perpetrators of such violence will not be spared," Modi tweeted.

This is the fourth Maoist attack in Gadchiroli, which borders Chhattisgarh, whose parts are hit by Maoist violence, since the parliamentary election began on April 11.