Bihar: Eight killed in Maoist landmine blast

Eight persons, including six policemen, were killed on Friday in a landmine blast triggered by Maoists near a culvert at Majhaulia village in Bihar's Gaya district.

"One ASI (Assistant Sub Inspector), five constables, a village sarpanch and one Special Police Officer (SPO) were killed in the blast," Gaya Superintendent of Police Akhtar Hussain said.

Maoists used improvised explosive devices to bomb a jeep at Koili culvert around 12.40 pm, he said, adding the vehicle was ripped apart in the explosion.

The incident took place at Roshanganj in Sherghati sub-division, on the border of Bihar and Jharkhand.

The security forces were going for a campaign run by an NGO to build awareness among the people against Maoists, Hussain said.

There have been reports of looting of arms of the security personnel in the incident.

In the state capital, Director General of Police Abhyanad said that senior police officers have been asked to visit the spot.