Maoists shot dead five policemen and took away their firearms in an ambush in  the eastern state of Jharkhand in India on Friday, officials said.



According to Sub-Divisional Police Officer Avinash Kumar, the five policemen -- two Assistant Sub-Inspectors and three Constables -- came under attack when they were patrolling the Tiruldih police station area of the Seraikhla-Kharsawan district along the Jharkhand-West Bengal border, reports our New Delhi correspondent.



District Superintendent of Police Chandan Kumar said 10 to 12 Maoists came on motor-cycles, surrounded the policemen and shot them dead near Kukoru Bazaar locality. They also looted five arms of the slain policemen, he said.



Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das said the incident would not affect the morale of the security personnel and the government would continue to take action against the Maoists.