In Maharashtra, seventeen policemen were killed today in an ambush by Maoists at Laheri police station in Gadchiroli district. According to official sources a police team of 45 personnel was on a patrolling duty in the area when it was ambushed by the Maoists. The incident sparked a gun-battle between the two sides that lasted for more than four hours .Seventeen policemen, including sub inspector C S Deshmukh, were killed in the ambush by over 150 naxals. The encounter comes barely hours after Maoists set ablaze a gram panchayat office in the area. The killings took place two km from Lahiri police post in Bhamragad tehsil . <br/><br/>Meanwhile, Maharashtra Home Minister Jayant Patil has expressed outrage at the incident. He said the killings will strengthen the resolve of the state government in tackling the Naxal menace.<br/><br/>In February, 15 policemen were killed in Naxal attacks and in May, 16 police personnel, including five women, lost their lives in a Naxal strike in Gadchiroli district.