Ranchi, Dec 14 (IANS) Two policemen were killed and one was injured when Maoist rebels detonated a landmine in Jharkhand's Lohardagga district Monday, police said.

'Maoist rebels detonated a landmine between Banjri and Rosad village which comes under Kisko police station of Lohardagga district,' officials said.

'The policemen were travelling on a bike and fell into the landmine trap which caused the death of the two policemen and injured one,' police spokesperson V.H. Deshmukh told IANS.

'After the landmine blast a gun battle took place between para-military troopers and Maoist rebels which lasted for more than three hours. Search operations are on in the area,' Deshmukh said.

The injured policeman has been admitted to a local hospital. His condition is said to be serious.

Lohardagga is about 70 km from Ranchi.