Seven policemen were today killed and two others injured when Naxals carried out a landmine blast in Maharashtra's Gadchiroli district.

The incident occurred at 9.40 AM when the policemen were moving for an operational task in the forest between Pavimuranda and Murmuri villages in Chamorshi taluka of the district.

Police said the slain security personnel belong to the specialised C-60 anti-Naxal operations force of Maharashtra. The blast took place when their vehicle was moving along the Murmuri-Chamuri axis hit with a landmine.

The injured have been airlifted to Nagpur for treatement. After the landmine blast, there was an exchange of fire between the police and Maoists.

Police said the firing is still going on in the forest area.