10 security personnel injured in IED blast by Maoists in Maharashtra's Gadchiroli, gunfight underway

At least 10 security personnel were injured after Maoists triggered an IED blast on a police vehicle in Maharashtra's Gadchiroli on Wednesday. The blast took place between Jamborkheda and Lendhari. The exchange of fire was underway between police and maoists when the last reports came in. The vehicle, which was targetted by an improvised explosive device, was carrying 16 security personnel from the Kurkheda Quick Response Team of Gadchiroli police.

"IED blast by maoists on a police vehicle in Gadchiroli, Maharashtra. 10 security personnel are injured in the blast," the news agency ANI reported, adding that the exchange of fire is underway between police and rebels at the site of blast.

#UPDATE Exchange of fire underway between Police and Naxals at the site of blast in Gadchiroli, Maharashtra. https://t.co/KB3rT3Gdna

— ANI (@ANI) May 1, 2019

The incident comes hours after the rebels torched around 25 vehicles of a road construction company in the district, police said. The vehicles were burnt at Dadapur in Kurkheda tehsil.

Speaking to media, Shailesh Balkawade, Superintendent of Police, Gadchiroli said, "A group of Maoists gathered around 3.30 am at Dadapur where the construction of a national highway has been going on since the last few months".

They torched the vehicles, which were parked along the road, using kerosene and diesel, the Balkawade said. "After setting the vehicles on fire, the Naxals escaped into the forest. A search operation has been launched," he added. A formal complaint about the incident is yet to be lodged.