BHUBANESWAR: At least 10 security personnel were on Sunday killed and three injured when Maoist guerrillas blew up a police bus in Orissa's Koraput district, an official said.
The rebels detonated a landmine about 14 km from Baipariguda town when a large number of the state's Special Operation Group (SOG) personnel were going in three vehicles, Deputy Inspector General of Police Sanjeeb Panda said.
"One of the buses was blasted by the Maoists. The vehicle was completely damaged. At least 10 security personnel are confirmed dead. The number of deaths may go up," Panda said.
At least three people were injured in the ghastly attack.
Maoists are active in more than half of the state's 30 districts. Koraput district, about 500 km from here, is considered their stronghold.
Maoist guerrillas detonated a land mine in Orissa, India today, blowing up a bus ferrying Special Operation Group (SOG) personnel of the state. At least ten were confirmed to be dead in the incident while several others were injured. State police said the attack occurred in the Koraput district of Orissa, on the east coast of India.

The land mine explosion blew up one of the three vehicles in which the security men were traveling. The jawans were from the SOG's road clearing department, and were on an operation to clear a blocked road in the state.

Deputy Inspector General of Police Sanjeeb Panda stated that, "One of the buses was blasted by the Maoists. The vehicle was completely damaged. At least 10 security personnel are confirmed dead." According to him, the death toll is expected to rise.

A short shooting battle between the Maoists and the jawans also took place according to sources. However, no further details were available.

Three security personnel were injured in the attack, and were admitted to local hospitals. A medical team accompanied by ambulances has been sent to the scene of the attack. Additional personnel have also been sent to assist the surviving jawans in the operation.