New Delhi  - At least six policemen were killed Friday in a landmine blast triggered by suspected Maoist rebels in the central Indian state Chhattisgarh, a news report said.

The incident occurred on a state highway in the southern Narayanpur district when a team from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) was conducting an operation against the Maoists.

CRPF spokesman Ajay Chaturvedi told the PTI news agency the vehicle carrying the CRPF team was destroyed in the explosion and most of the policemen died on the scene.

Anti-Maoist operations have been stepped up in the area and additional forces will be rushed in to carry out a search operation to track the rebels involved in the blast, CRPF chief VK Joshi said.

Maoist militants, who claim to be fighting for the rural poor, tribal people and the landless, operate in 13 of India's 29 states. They usually target police and government installations.

According to independent estimates, more than 400 people, including civilians, policemen and rebels have been killed in Maoist violence in India since the beginning of the year.

Indian Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta recently announced that the government was to step up the fight against Maoists and six jungle warfare and counter-insurgency schools would be set up to prepare security personnel to counter the rebels. (dpa)