Gadchiroli IED Blast: 15 Policemen, Driver Killed In Maoist Attack In Maharashtra

Gadchiroli blast: An IED blast by Maoists was set off on a police vehicle.

Highlights

Powerful improvised explosive device blast set off by Maoists today
Attack on team going to inspect vehicles torched by Maoists earlier
"Strongly condemn the despicable attack," PM Modi tweeted

Gadchiroli: Fifteen 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 (IED) blast was set off on a private vehicle when a team of the Quick Response Team of the Gadchiroli police was on way to inspect a fleet of vehicles torched by Maoists earlier in the day. Prime Minister Narendra 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.

Here are the top 10 updates on the Gadchiroli Maoist attack:

"Maoists attacked a team of commandos travelling in a private vehicle to inspect an earlier attack. So far 16 men have died," an official at police headquarters in Maharashtra told news agency AFP. "More teams have been sent to site for rescue and combat operations," said the officer, who did not want to give his name.
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.
"Strongly condemn the despicable attack on our security personnel in Gadchiroli, Maharashtra. I salute all the brave personnel. Their sacrifices will never be forgotten. My thoughts & solidarity are with the bereaved families. The perpetrators of such violence will not be spared," PM Modi tweeted.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh spoke to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis about the incident. "We are providing all assistance needed by the state government. MHA is in constant touch with the state administration," he tweeted, condoling the deaths.
At around 3:30 am, Maoists had torched vehicles, which were parked along the road in Kurkheda area, using kerosene and diesel, police officer Shailesh Balkawade said.
Over two weeks ago, another IED blast was set off near a polling booth in Gadchiroli on April 11, during the first phase of the national election. No one was injured in the incident. A day before that, a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) trooper was critically injured in an IED blast in Gadchiroli.
Today's Maoist attack comes on a day when Maharashtra is celebrating its foundation day. The Maoists 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 April last year, security forces had carried out one of the biggest anti-Maoist operations in Maharashtra in which 40 Maoists were killed. The operation was planned by C-60 commandos of the Gadchiroli police based on specific intelligence about a meeting of top dalams or Maoist squads.
Gadchiroli voted in the first phase of national election on April 11.
On April 9, five people including a BJP legislator and four security personnel were killed in a Maoist-triggered IED blast in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada district.