The state government will also provide the best medical treatment to the six injured CRPF personnel.

According to police officials, 10 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) troopers were killed and six others seriously injured when Maoist guerrillas triggered a landmine blast in a forested area late on Monday night in Aurangabad.

Police also claimed that four Maoists were killed in the encounter.

A senior police official here said those killed were personnel of the COBRA unit.

"Eight personnel were killed on the spot after Maoists triggered the IED, two others succumbed to their injuries when they were being evacuated," an official said.

The blast took place in the Chakarbanda-Dumarinala forest area bordering Gaya district when the CRPF personnel were conducting a combing operation.

According to police officials, it appears that the Maoists used a huge quantity of explosives to detonate the improvised explosive device. An AK-47 rifle, INSAS rifle and under-barrel grenade launcher were also recovered from the site.

Police said six other personnel were critically injured in the gun battle that ensued following the IED blast.

The troopers belonged to the 205th COBRA battalion and were deployed in the state for conducting anti-Maoist operations.