RANCHI, Jan 17: Six policemen were killed in a landmine blast set off by suspected Maoist insurgents in the eastern Indian state of Jharkhand on Saturday, police said.

The policemen were returning to their post after completing an operation against Maoist rebels in Latehar district 160km from Ranchi early on Saturday when the mine exploded, according to Jharkhand police spokesman Satya Narayan Pradhan.

The rebels belonged to the banned Communist Party of India-Maoist group, he said.

Separately, seven Maoist rebels were arrested in Bokaro district, about 130km away, police officials said, in a foiled attempt to blow up a railway station. Police recovered explosive materials from those arrested.—Reuters