Dantewara: At least 20 people died on Tuesday when Maoist rebels blew up a truck packed with anti-Maoist activists in the Dantewara district in Chattisgarh.
Maoists killed villagers from Erraborra village who were returning home from a Salwa Judum campaign, an anti-Maoist tribal movement that literally translates as peace march in Konta Block of Dantewara District.
"Until now, we know that 20 people have died. Around 35 to 40 people are injured. It was a landmine attack," Police Additional Director General of intelligence, S.K. Paswan said in Raipur, capital of Chattisgarh state.
A police spokeswoman in the state's Dantewara district where the attack took place believed the death toll was higher.
"Our initial information is that 25 people are dead but since it is very remote area officers are still trying to work out how many are injured, how many are critical and how many have died," she said. She also added that the tipper truck was blasted late morning.
NSG unit, which had reached Dantewara 15 days ago, has been deployed for the rescue operations.
Maoists have bases in several states and have recently stepped up attacks. The rebels say they are fighting for greater economic and social rights for tribes and landless farmers in rural areas.
The latest attack comes on the eve of a visit to India by US President.
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