NEW DELHI - Maoist rebels set off a land mine under a truck on Tuesday in the Indian state of Chhattisgarh, killing 55 people and wounding at least 20 who belonged to a government-backed anti-Maoist group, police said.
The attack came on the eve of a visit to the country by President Bush and was one of the worst single acts of violence by Maoists in the past three decades. Fearing militants will time attacks to coincide with the visit, India has dramatically increased security in some parts of the country in recent days, particularly the volatile Himalayan region of Kashmir.
“Maoists set off a land mine in Darmagura area in Dantewada district, killing 55 people,” senior police officer S.K Paswan told Reuters, adding those killed were tribal members returning from an anti-Maoist meeting organized by the state.
Officials said hundreds of police reinforcements had been sent to the area to search for those behind the attacks.
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