Maoist Attack: Six security personnel killed in IED blast in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada

Highlights Vehicle was passing through Dantewada district when landmine struck

Search operations being carried out by security forces

Two personnel have also been injured

Seven security personnel were killed in an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast, when their vehicle was passing through Cholnar village, in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada district.Among the seven dead, three were from the Chhattisgarh Armed Force and two from the district police force. Two more personnel have also been injured in the IED blast. One of the security personnel who were seriously injured and airlifted to a hospital in state capital Raipur, died later."Six jawans were killed and one injured according to preliminary investigations. Search operations are being carried out by the security forces," Sunder Raj, DIG Anti-Naxal, told NDTV earlier on Sunday.Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh tweeted on Sunday evening, "Deeply anguished to know about the death of Chhattisgarh police personnel in an IED blast in Dantewada today. My thoughts are with the bereaved families of the martyred police personnel.""The deafening blast near Cholnar targeted a jeep in which seven security personnel were patrolling a remote area," said Vivekanand Sinha, Inspector General of Police.Five of them died instantly, Mr Sinha told news agencies. The intensity of the blast has created a huge crater on the dirt track.

The Maoists have also snatched five automatic rifles including two AK-47s and two INSAS rifles, say police sources.More personnel of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) have been sent to the spot. Chief Minister Raman Singh who is scheduled to visit Dantewada on May 22 said, "Maoists are against development and they usually target our soldiers. We will strongly retaliate against such incidents."