RAIPUR, India, March 1 (Reuters) - A powerful landmine explosion triggered by Maoist rebels in a densely forested region of central India killed eight people on Thursday, including six policemen, police said.

Four policemen were injured during the attack in the state of Chhattisgarh.

"Maoists blew up a patrolling team in the forested stretch and then started indiscriminate firing on the police team," said Girdhari Nayak, a police officer.

Chhattisgarh is a stronghold of the rebels who operate in at least 13 Indian states.

The rebels claim to be fighting for the rights of poor farmers and landless labourers. Their conflict has killed thousands of people, including hundreds of policemen, in the past three decades.

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