Six Jharkhand Jaguar Force personnel were killed on Tuesday evening in a landmine blast in Garhwa district, reported PTI. A few security personnel were also injured in the incident. The Jharkhand Jaguar Force is a special unit of the state police.

Maoists are suspected to be behind the explosion. Deputy Inspector General of Police Vipul Shukla said they had information about the presence of some Maoists in the Chinjo area of the district. He said when the security personnel reached the area, the Maoists triggered the blast and opened fire at them, reported The Indian Express.

This is the first major attack in Jharkhand since January 2016 when seven police personnel were killed in Palamu district.