Maoists torched at least three dozen vehicles belonging to private contractors in Kurkheda sub-district of Gadchiroli, officials said. Fifteen security personnel and their driver have been killed in Maharashtra's Gadchiroli after a powerful explosion, set off by Maoists, blew up their vehicle.

The incident took place early in the day when the state was getting ready to celebrate its foundation day, Maharashtra Divas; while the Maoists were in the final stages of observing a week-long protest to mark the first anniversary of 40 of their comrades who were gunned down by security forces on April 22 last year.

The Maoists also put up banners and posters condemning the killings of their comrades in 2018 before setting ablaze two JCBs, 11 tipper, diesel and petrol tankers, rollers, generator vans and two local site offices before fleeing from the spot.

Maoists torched at least three dozen vehicles belonging to private contractors in Kurkheda sub-district of Gadchiroli, officials said. Fifteen security personnel and their driver have been killed in Maharashtra's Gadchiroli after a powerful explosion, set off by Maoists, blew up their vehicle.

The incident took place early in the day when the state was getting ready to celebrate its foundation day, Maharashtra Divas; while the Maoists were in the final stages of observing a week-long protest to mark the first anniversary of 40 of their comrades who were gunned down by security forces on April 22 last year.

The Maoists also put up banners and posters condemning the killings of their comrades in 2018 before setting ablaze two JCBs, 11 tipper, diesel and petrol tankers, rollers, generator vans and two local site offices before fleeing from the spot.