At least 11 CRPF jawans have been killed today in a landmine blast triggered by suspected Naxalites in Pushtola district of Maharashtra.

According to police in Nagpur, eight injured jawans have been airlifted to Nagpur.

The troops were reportedly travelling in a bus and were going from Pushtola to Gatta carrying sewing machines and medicines for distribution among tribals at a civil action camp in  Gatta village when the blast took place killing many of them on-the-spot, CRPF officials said.

Top police officials have confirmed that it was a high intensity landmine blast. The troops belonging to the 192nd battalion of the force were deployed there.

Preliminary reports received in the office of IG (Operations) Sunil Ramanand said the incident occurred near Pustola village on Karwafa-Fulbodi Gutta road, about 4 km from Gadchiroli, around noon.

Combing of the area has already begun, they said. Top officers of Maharashtra Anti-Naxal Operation team had already arrived in Gadchiroli this morning and are monitoring the situation.