9 soldiers killed in Maoist rebel blast

PATNA: Police in eastern India say at least nine paramilitary soldiers have been killed by a landmine placed by Maoist rebels.

Police officer DM Awasthi said the soldiers were travelling between camps in the Sukma area of Chhattisgarh state yesterday when their vehicle drove over a land mine, resulting in an explosion.

Two other soldiers were wounded in the blast.

The government says the insurgents, inspired by Chinese revolutionary leader Mao Zedong, are the country’s most serious internal security threat. The rebels control large areas of central and eastern India and say they are fighting to obtain more jobs, land and wealth for poor and indigenous communities. – AP