'Four dead' in India mine attack

Police in the central Indian state of Chattisgarh say four people have been killed and four others seriously injured in a landmine explosion.

They say that Maoist guerrillas are suspected of carrying out the attack.

The insurgents have a strong presence in the area of the attack in the southern district of Dantewara.

Rebel attacks on civilians have increased in recent months. Police allege that they have targeted several important state-owned installations.

Communist state

Electricity equipment and communication towers have been attacked over the last 18 months.

A senior police official, RK Vij, told the BBC that in the latest attack, guerrillas detonated mines as a police party was going to a camp in a tractor.

Those travelling included a group of Special Police Officers (SPOs) - villagers who have been specially trained by police to help combat the rebels.

Thousands have died in Maoist campaigns across central and southern India in the past 30 years.

The rebels are pressing for the creation of a communist state comprising tribal areas in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa, Bihar and Chattisgarh.

The Indian government believes that there may be 10,000 armed Maoist rebels in India, correspondents say.