Raipur, May 20 (IANS): Six security personnel were killed and another was critically wounded on Sunday when Maoists detonated an improvised explosive device (IED) in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada district.

The deafening blast, on the Bacheli-Cholnar road, targeted a jeep in which seven security personnel were patrolling in a remote area, killing five of them instantly, Inspector General of Police (Bastar) Vivekanand Sinha told the media.

A sixth person succumbed to his injuries later. The explosion was so powerful that the jeep was shattered into many parts.

The team was surveying a road being built between Kirandul and Cholnar when it was attacked.

"We have sounded a high alert in the area and launched a search operation for the Naxalites," Sinha said, adding that the lone survivor would be taken to Raipur for better treatment.

The blast took place two days before Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh is set to hold a public meeting in Dantewada. Officials said security would be further increased for the Chief Minister's meeting.