15 security personnel, 1 civilian killed in Maoist blast

Fifteen police personnel and one civilian were killed in an IED blast triggered by Maoists in Maharashtra's Gadchiroli district on Wednesday, police said.

The blast followed Maoists torching 25 vehicles belonging to a road construction contractor earlier in the day.

Those killed were members of the Quick Response Team of the Gadchiroli police, which was on its way to inspect the torched vehicles, an official said.

The blast happened as the police vehicle reached Lendhari Nallah in Kurkheda area, the official said.

Police teams are reaching the spot for evacuation, he said.