PATNA (India), Jan 21: Suspected Maoist rebels triggered a powerful landmine on Saturday, killing 13 policemen in eastern India. At least two policemen were injured in the explosion that blew up their minibus in Jharkhand state, police superintendent G.K. Rath said.

The policemen had conducted a routine search for rebel hideouts in a remote, densely forested region and were returning from the operation when the blast occurred.

The attack was to protest against the killing of one of the top Maoist leaders Koteswar Rao – better known as Kishenji – by security forces last year, police said.

The rebels have been fighting the government for more than four decades, demanding land and jobs for landless farmers and the poor.—Agencies