15 Indian commandos killed in Maoists' attack in Maharashtra

NEW DELHI: At least 15 Indian commandos were killed in an improvised explosive device (IED) bomb blast targeted security vehicle in Maharashtra, foreign media reported on Wednesday.

Maoists rebels blew up a security vehicle in Gadchiroli bordering Chhattisgarh, killing at least 15 Indian commandoes.

The incident comes hours after the rebels torched 25 vehicles at a road construction site in Kurkheda of Gadchiroli district, Indian media reported.

According to reports, Maoists torched the vehicles, which were parked along the road, using kerosene and diesel, said a police officer Shailesh Balkawade.

It is pertinent to mention here that Maoists had killed 25 Indian security personnel in a series of attacks during the last 18 days.

Read More: Maoist rebels kill six Indian policemen in bombing

The bomb attack was carried out on a day when Maharashtra is celebrating its foundation day, whereas, the Maoists rebels were in the final stages of observing a week-long protest to mark the first anniversary of 40 of their members who were gunned down by security forces on April 22 last year.

In May last year, Maoist rebels had killed six policemen Sunday with a roadside bomb in a remote forest in eastern India, where the guerrillas have been waging an insurgency for decades.

Another officer was injured when their vehicle was hit in the Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh state, said senior state police officer Sunder Raj P.

The police were escorting a truck carrying material for road construction. Raj said a search was under way for the attackers.