*NEW DELHI: *Maoist rebels on Thursday ambushed an Indian military patroland killed four soldiers and injured 6 others in a jolt to security aheadof a national election starting next week.
Border Security Force (BSF) troops were on a foot patrol in a remoteforested district of Chhattisgarh state when attacked. Six BSF troops werealso wounded.
State police chief, D M Awasthi, who gave the toll, said the woundedsoldiers have been evacuated from Kanker district.
Indian forces have been fighting Maoists for decades in the mineral-richcentral state, whichwill vote on April 11, the first day of the multi-stage nationwide electionwhich will only finish on May 19.
The rebels often call for a boycott of elections as part of their campaignagainst the Indian state.
The Maoists are believed to be present in at least 20 other Indian statesbut most active in Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Bihar, Jharkhand and Maharashtra.Their insurgency has left tens of thousands dead. – APP/AFP