Suspected Maoists blow up ambulance, three dead

BHUBANESWAR - Three people, including a woman, were killed when suspected Maoists blew up the ambulance they were travelling in Orissas Kandhamal district, police said Sunday.

The landmine blast took place Saturday night in a hilly and forested area near Brahmanigaon village, about 150 km from the district headquarters of Phulbani, when the victims were on their way to a nearby village, a police official said.

No further details are available as of now, he added.

The latest attack comes after suspected Maoists killed a contractor in the area Nov 25.

Kandhamal, about 200 km from Bhubaneswar, witnessed widespread violence after the murder of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati and four of his aides at his ashram Aug 23, 2008.

At least 38 people were killed and over 25,000 Christians were forced to flee their homes after their houses were attacked by mobs that held Christians responsible for Saraswatis killing, although the police blamed the Maoists.