Policeman killed in IED blast in India's Chhattisgarh state

NEW DELHI, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- A policeman was killed Sunday after an improvised explosive device (IED) planted by the Naxal rebels went off in the central Indian state of Chhattisgarh, police said.

The blast occurred in the Orchha area of Narayanpur district, about 300 km south of Raipur, the capital city of Chhattisgarh.

According to officials, the slain policeman belonged to Chhattisgarh Armed Force (CAF).

"This morning a head constable of the CAF was killed after a pressure IED planted by Naxalites went off near Batum village in Narayanpur district," a police officer said.

The policeman was part of a patrolling contingent, who reportedly had gone into the area after receiving information that Naxalites have put up banners there.

"The policeman inadvertently stepped over a pressure IED, causing its blast which resulted in his death," the police officer said.

On Saturday, three policemen were killed and two others wounded in a fierce gunfight with Naxals in Sukma district. On Monday, Naxals killed two policemen in Bortalab area of Rajnandgaon district of the state.

Currently, the Naxal insurgents are active across the central and eastern parts of India.

India's former prime minister Manmohan Singh once termed the Naxalite movement as India's "greatest internal security challenge."

New Delhi has deployed several companies of its paramilitary forces to take on Naxals in their strongholds.

The insurgency reportedly has claimed hundreds of lives besides rendering thousands of poor inhabitants homeless.