Live Updates: 15 security personnel martyred in IED blast in Gadchiroli, Maharashtra

The Maoist insurgents, known as Naxals, have battled the state for decades, saying they are fighting for people left out of a long economic boom in Asia’s third-largest economy.

Suspected leftist insurgents killed at least 15 police and a civilian driver in a landmine attack on two security vehicles on Wednesday in the western state of Maharashtra, police said, as the state celebrated its foundation day.

Security forces killed at least 37 Maoist militants last year in Gadchiroli, the same district where Wednesday's attack took place.

According to a statement to PTI Shailesh Balkawade, Superintendent of Police said, "The incident took place at Dadapur in Kurkheda tehsil". They torched the vehicles, which were parked along the road, using kerosene and diesel, the officer added.

#UPDATE Official sources: 10 security personnel have lost their lives in an IED blast by Naxals in Gadchiroli. #Maharashtra https://t.co/KB3rT3XOLK

— ANI (@ANI) May 1, 2019

Sudhir Mungantiwar, Maharashtra Minister in a statement told ANI, We suspect that 15 police jawans and a driver have lost their lives in this incident.

The Indian opposition party, Congress posted on Twitter and condemns the attack by Naxal on security Personnel. INC wrote, "We are deeply saddened by the deadly attack on our jawans. We strongly condemn this act of violence & salute our brave hearts for their sacrifice & service. We pray for the families of the victims & wish the injured a swift recovery."

We are deeply saddened by the deadly attack on our jawans. We strongly condemn this act of violence & salute our brave hearts for their sacrifice & service. We pray for the families of the victims & wish the injured a swift recovery.

— Congress (@INCIndia) May 1, 2019

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi strongly condemns the Naxal Attack on Security Personnel. PM Modi took Twitter and wrote, "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 and solidarity are with the bereaved families. The perpetrators of such violence will not be spared."

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

DGP Maharashtra Subodh Jaiswal said We are prepared to give a befitting reply to this attack and operations are going on the area to ensure that no further casualties take place. He further added, "It would not be right to term this as an intelligence failure. It is a dastardly attack, we will try our best that such incidents are not repeated. Our people are present at the spot, more information will come out by today evening."

Congress President Rahul Gandhi Condemns Naxal attack in Gadchiroli, Maharashtra and saddened by the news. Taking to social networking site Twitter, Rahul wrote:

गढ़चिरोली, महाराष्ट्र में सुरक्षा जवानों के ऊपर हुए हमले की खबर से, मुझे बहुत दुख पहुंचा है। पीड़ित परिवारों के प्रति, मैं गहरी शोक और संवेदना व्यक्त करता हूँ ।

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) May 1, 2019