NEW DELHI: Ten security men and a driver were killed in India on Thursday when their vehicle drove over a land mine planted by suspected Maoists, police said.

The explosion in central Chhattisgarh state was the latest in a string of deadly Maoist ambushes in the region.

“Ten paramilitary forces were on their way from Konta to Banda when their vehicle ran over a land mine, killing all on board,” said R.K. Vij, a senior police official, adding that the driver, a civilian, also died. “The land mine was planted by suspected Maoists,” Vij said.

The security men were carrying out anti-Maoist patrols in the area, according to the United News of India.

But police said they were out shopping when they were ambushed in the area, known as a rebel stronghold.

Earlier this month, 18 policemen were killed in a two separate Maoist attacks in the state, officials said.—AFP