Five policemen of a patrolling party were killed on Friday in Jharkhand when Maoists waiting in dense forest ambushed them.

The incident happened in Ranchi district's Silli area, about 50 km from the state capital.

The dead policemen were part of the Special Task Force (STF) of Jharkhand police.

"The STF personnel were returning after inspecting a bank near the Rahe outpost in Silli, when Maoists, waiting in the dense forest, ambushed them," said Inspector General of Police S N Pradhan.

Numbering about 50, the Maoists opened indiscriminate firing as soon as the STF vehicle reached the spot, not giving any chance for retaliation.

The Maoists looted five Insas rifles from them, he added.

Soon after the ambush security forces raided the dense jungles undere Sonahatu police station, he added.