Seven policemen were killed and six others injured in an attack by suspected leftwing rebels in the Palamu district of the central Indian state of Jharkhand Wednesday evening, said local media.

The policemen were ambushed by suspected Naxal rebels with improvised explosive devices when returning to their base after a patrolling operation in a jungle area of the district, according to the reports.

The vehicle of the policemen were blown up in the attack in what is said to be a hotbed of the rebels. Several other policemen also remained missing after the attack.