RAIPUR (India): Four paramilitary soldiers were killed on Monday in an attack in the insurgency-racked central Indian state of Chhattisgarh, police said, ahead of a visit by the country’s president.

Maoist guerillas were thought to be behind the landmine blast, which occurred ahead of a planned visit to the state by President Pratibha Patil.

“A deputy commandant, a driver and two constables were killed in the incident,” police inspector general A.N Upadhaya said.

Another three soldiers were injured, he said.

At least 834 people were killed in Maoist-related violence nationwide last year and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has described the rebels as the biggest threat to India’s internal security.—AFP