Hyderabad, May 8 -- Three Telangana police officials were killed in a landmine explosion in Mulugu district on Thursday, May 8 during a combing operation.

The explosion occurred in the forest area bordering Venkatapuram mandal. Senior officials have not yet given any clarification on the incident. The security forces have launched operation Sankalp, a major search operation against the Maoists.

This is the 17th day of the Kareguta combing; carried out at the Telangana- Chattisgarh border. The attack took place while the police team was conducting a routine combing operation in the region. According to initial reports, Maoists targeted the patrol team by triggering powerful landmines followed by intense firing.

The sudden detonation of ...