BANGALORE, 12 February 2005 — Six policemen and a civilian were killed in an attack by a group of Maoists early yesterday morning at a village in Pavagada, 120 km from here.
The attack is widely believed to be in retaliation for the killing of two rebels last Saturday. The area where the attack took place juts into the neighboring state of Andhra Pradesh where Maoist rebels are active.
Yesterday’s attack was the first by Maoists on police in Karnataka.
The policemen, belonging to the Karnataka State Reserve Police, were camping in a school when the rebels, who came in three vans, opened fire and threw grenades. Five policemen died on the spot while one died in hospital.
Of the five policemen injured in the attack, one is in critical condition. All the injured were transferred to Victoria Hospital in Bangalore.
