7 jawans killed as IED planted by Maoists goes off in Dantewada

Seven state police jawans were killed on Sunday morning when Maoists allegedly blew up their vehicle with an improvised explosive device (IED) in Dantewada district, the police said. The Maoists also looted six automatic rifles of the police personnel after the blast and fled into the jungles. The injured policeman has been airlifted to Raipur and his condition is said to be critical, the police said. Special director general of police (anti-Naxal operations) DM Awasthi confirmed the deaths in Dantewada, adding that the Maoists targeted the team of state police jawans who were escorting a truck carrying material for road construction in the area.