Thirteen policemen were killed Saturday afternoon when suspected left-wing Naxal detonated a landmine in the central Indian state of Jharkhand, said officials.

The attack took place in a jungle of the state's Garwah district. The vehicle the policemen were riding was turned turtle by the explosion and the rebels shot by random at the cops who tried to escape, said Inspector General R.K. Mallik, spokesman of police in the state capital Ranchi.

Security forces have been rushed to the spot to track down the rebels, who are active in the area.

Among the dead was the officer-in-charge of Bhandaria police station. Two others were injured.

Mallik said that the blast was triggered by the rebels when the police team was returning after clearing a road blockade.

Rebels have taken away all the 14 weapons after the blast, which tossed several feet in the air, according to police sources.

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