Landmine blast triggered by Maoist rebels

Feb 23, 2013 14:32 Moscow Time
Rebel attack in India: 8 police officers killed

                                                                                                                                                          Photo: EPA

At least eight people, including seven policemen, were killed in a landmine blast triggered by Maoist rebels in India's eastern state of Bihar, officials said Saturday.
The insurgents targeted a convoy on patrol in the district of Gaya, some 130 kilometres south of state capital Patna, on Friday. The district is a known rebel stronghold.

"Seven policemen and a village elder travelling in the jeep were killed in the attack," Mohammed Akhtar Hussain, district deputy police chief, said.

The rebels then looted the weapons of the slain policemen, while security forces launched search operations to track them down.

Maoist militants, who claim to be fighting for the rural poor, tribal people and the landless, operate in 13 of India's 29 states.

They usually target police and government installations. Indian leaders have described the left-wing insurgency as the greatest internal threat facing India. 

Rebel attack in India: 8 police officers killed