Maoist attack kills India police

-Suspected Maoist rebels in India have killed 10 police personnel in the state of Jharkhand, officials say.

The attackers detonated a landmine targeting a police patrol in West Singhbhum district, about 160km (100 miles) from the state capital, Ranchi.

Six other policemen have been injured in the attack, police said.

The rebels are fighting for communist rule in a number of Indian states. More than 6,000 people have died during their 20-year fight.

Senior police official VD Ram said the policemen were returning from a patrol when the attack took place.

Police reinforcements have been sent to the area and a search operation is on.

The Maoists regularly target police and paramilitary troops in the states where they are active.

The rebels say that they are inspired by Chinese revolutionary leader Mao Zedong, and are fighting for better land rights and more jobs for agricultural labourers and the poor.