MAOIST ATTACK! 15 POLICEMEN AND DRIVER KILLED

15 policemen and their driver were killed in Maharashtra's Gadchiroli today after a powerful explosion, set off by Maoists, blew up their vehicle. An improvised explosive device blast was set off in a vehicle when a team of the Quick Response Team of the police was on way to inspect vehicles torched by Maoists earlier that day.

PM Modi termed the attack "despicable" and said that the "perpetrators of such violence will not be spared". This is the fourth Maoist attack in Gadchiroli, which borders Chattisgarh, since the national election began in April.

The blast near Gadchirli's Jambhumpada village took place hours after Maoists torched 25 vehicles at a road construction site in Kurkheda of Gadchiroli at around 3:30 am.

An IED blast was set off near a polling booth in Gadchiroli on April 11, during the first phase of the national election, but none were injured.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh tweeted "We are providing all assistance needed by the state government. MHA is in constant touch with the state administration."