Six policemen among seven killed in Jharkhand blast

RANCHI - Six policemen and a truck driver were killed in a landmine blast and indiscriminate firing by Maoist rebels in Gumla district of Jharkhand Friday evening, police said.

Rebels triggered a landmine and opened fire on nine security personnel who were returning in a bauxite-laden truck to Gurdari police picket, situated 160 km from Ranchi.

Six policemen, including an assistant sub inspector, were killed as well as the truck driver, while two cops were injured.

Police have reached the spot which is located in a remote jungle area, said police spokesperson V.H. Deshmukh.

Eighteen of Jharkhand’s 24 districts are Maoist affected.