At least 16 people, including 15 security personnel, were killed in an IED blast triggered by Naxals in Gadchiroli district on Wednesday.

Those killed were members of the Quick Response Team (QRT) of Gadchiroli police, which was on way to inspect a fleet of torched vehicles belonging to a road construction contractor, police said.

The Naxals triggered an improvised explosive device (IED) to blow up the police vehicle on Wednesday on the Kurkheda-Korchi road in Gadchiroli.

The vehicle, which was targetted by the Naxals, was carrying 16 security personnel from the Kurkheda Quick Response Team of Gadchiroli police.

#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

FOLLOW LIVE UPDATES ON GADCHIROLI NAXAL ATTACK

This comes around three weeks after an IED blast was reported near a polling booth in Gadchiroli on April 11 during the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections. However, no one was injured in the incident.

On the poll eve too, a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel was injured in an IED blast in Gadchiroli.

PM Narendra Modi condemns attack

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. Chowkidar Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 1, 2019



Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has also condemned the Gadchiroli attack. "Anguished to know that our 16 police personnel from Gadchiroli C60 force got martyred in a cowardly attack. My thoughts and prayers are with the martyrs' families. I am in touch with DGP and Gadchiroli SP."

Earlier on Wednesday, Naxals allegedly set ablaze 27 machines and vehicles at a road construction site in Kurkheda of Gadchiroli district.

The incident took place when the state was getting ready to celebrate its foundation day, Maharashtra Divas; while the Maoists were in the final stages of observing a week-long protest to mark the first anniversary of 40 of their comrades who were gunned down by security forces on April 22 last year.

Earlier on April 11, an encounter broke out between CRPF personnel and Naxals in the Naxal affected district of Gadchiroli. In January this year, Naxals set ablaze vehicles in the villages of Kurkheda, Korchi, and Potegaon.

This is the biggest attack on security forces in the last two years in Maharashtra.

(Inputs by Divyesh Singh)

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