A landmine explosion in the western Indian state of Maharashtra has killed at least 15 policemen, officials say.
The attack has been blamed on Maoist rebels, who operate in the area as well as several other Indian states.
It is one of the worst attacks on Indian police in several years.
Maoist rebels in the eastern state of Orissa kidnapped two Italians about two weeks ago, but released one and have been in talks with the state government over the other man's release.
The attack happened in Maharashtra's Gadchiroli district, a remote and relatively undeveloped part of the country.
The police vehicle was travelling through a forested region when the landmine was triggered, reports say.
The policemen, members of India's national paramilitary force, were travelling on a bus, the Press Trust of India news agency quoted officials as saying.
Reports said another 15 police were injured.
India's Maoist insurgency began in West Bengal state in the late 1960s and has become, according to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the country's "greatest internal security challenge".
The Maoists control large areas of several states in a "red corridor" stretching from the north-east to central India.
They are fighting for communist rule and demand greater rights for tribal people and the rural poor.
Hoping the culprits get caught and dealt with severely.
Prayers for the lost ones and their families. R.I.P.
BBC News - India explosion 'kills 15 police'
The attack has been blamed on Maoist rebels, who operate in the area as well as several other Indian states.
It is one of the worst attacks on Indian police in several years.
Maoist rebels in the eastern state of Orissa kidnapped two Italians about two weeks ago, but released one and have been in talks with the state government over the other man's release.
The attack happened in Maharashtra's Gadchiroli district, a remote and relatively undeveloped part of the country.
The police vehicle was travelling through a forested region when the landmine was triggered, reports say.
The policemen, members of India's national paramilitary force, were travelling on a bus, the Press Trust of India news agency quoted officials as saying.
Reports said another 15 police were injured.
India's Maoist insurgency began in West Bengal state in the late 1960s and has become, according to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the country's "greatest internal security challenge".
The Maoists control large areas of several states in a "red corridor" stretching from the north-east to central India.
They are fighting for communist rule and demand greater rights for tribal people and the rural poor.
Hoping the culprits get caught and dealt with severely.
Prayers for the lost ones and their families. R.I.P.
BBC News - India explosion 'kills 15 police'