Jharkhand: Maoists ambush police team, 11 killed

Eleven policemen were killed and at least 20 injured when suspected Maoists ambushed a police team in Lohardaga district of Jharkhand on Tuesday.

The rebels triggered several landmines to ambush the security personnel at Dhardhariya prompting the Central Reserve Police Force and district police personnel, returning from Urumuru village, to open fire, IGP (Operation) R K Malik told PTI in Ranchi.

Eleven policemen were

killed in the ambush as thick smoke engulfed the area with the gunfight continuing for some time, he said. The rebels left the spot after the gunfight.

At least 20 security personnel, comprising both CRPF and district police, were injured and taken to local health centre, police said.

The security personnel went to Urumuru after a tip off about Maoists having assembled there, but returned after not finding any one, when the ultras ambushed them.