Gadchiroli (Maharashtra), May 1 (IANS) Maoists struck in a big way on Wednesday, killing 15 commandos and a civilian by triggering a landmine blast targeting a security vehicle in Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra.

The attack on the security vehicles came hours after the suspected Maoists torched at least 36 road construction vehicles and two site offices of a road building contractor in Gadchiroli's Dadarpur village.

Significantly, the Maoists carried out the attack in Khurkheda tehsil when the state was celebrating its Foundation Day.