Maoist rebels have killed 75 paramilitary policemen in an ambush in the state of Chhattisgarh in central India.
A group from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) was attacked this morning - when reinforcements rushed to the scene they were surrounded by hundreds of rebels.
A police spokesman has said the death toll could rise and that a heavily armoured anti-mine vehicle sent in to retrieve the wounded has been blown up.
Indian Home Minister Palaniappan Chidambaram condemned the attack and said he was shocked by it.
'This shows the savage nature of the Maoists. The brutality and savagery which they are capable of.'
The minister said the police patrol had clearly walked into a carefully prepared ambush by the rebels.
He added: 'Something has gone very wrong. They seem to have walked into a trap set by the (Maoists) and casualties are quite high. I am deeply shocked.'
