Lathear (Jharkhand), Apr. 15 : Seven people, including five Maoist rebels, were killed during an attack on a CRPF bus in Jharkhand''s Lathear District, about 105 kilometres from state capital Ranchi.

The bus was carrying around 80 CRPF personnel and was ambushed near Nimiadih village late Tuesday.

New reports said Maoist rebels first detonated a landmine and then started firing indiscriminately. The security personnel retaliated with gunfire.

Jharkhand police spokesperson S N Pradhan said: "The bus driver was killed on the spot and one security personnel died on the way to hospital. The bodies of five Maoist rebels have also been recovered."

Four injured security personnel have been admitted to the Apollo Hospital in Ranchi for treatment.

The Lathear attack came shortly before Maoist rebels attacked a Border Security Force (BSF) camp near Ratnag in Palamau district, about 190 km from here.

There were around 70 BSF personnel in the camp, which was set up to ensure peaceful polling. The gunbattle between the guerrillas and security personnel lasted several hours. One BSF soldier was injured in the attack.

The six parliamentary constituencies that go to the polls in the first phase of elections Thursday are considered Maoist strongholds. The polling will be conducted under air surveillance by five India Air Force (IAF) helicopters. (ANI)