Maoist rebels kill at least six policemen in eastern India

[News_Editor]

NEW DELHI, INDIA (BNO NEWS) -- A Maoist rebel attack in eastern India killed at least six policemen on Tuesday, local authorities said.

The attack took place at around 3:45 p.m. local time, in the district of Dumka in the state of Jharkhand and near Kathikund, when the left-wing extremist rebel group ambushed police superintendent Amarjit Balihar's convoy.

The state's home secretary, N N Pandey, spoke with the Times of India, saying the rebels waited for the convoy, opened fire and hurled bombs against the vehicles. Authorities said around 150 bullets were fired.

Balihar, 45, was returning from a meeting with high officials. The ambush was carried out quickly, and the police were unable to retaliate. Balhiar and five others were confirmed dead. Following the attack, the rebels seized the police's weapons, and authorities launched a massive manhunt to find the attackers.

In addition to Balihar, the others killed were identified as Ashok Kumar Srivastav, Chandan Kumar Thappa, Manoj Kumar Hembrom and Rajesh Kumar Sharma, while the sixth victim was yet to be identified.

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