Fifty people were feared killed as Naxalites triggered a powerful blast, targeting two trucks, in which about 100 villagers were returning after attending an anti-Naxal meeting at Darbaguda on the Sukma-Konta National Highway Tuesday morning.

Inspector General of Police (Bastar Range) M W Ansari confirmed that the blast took place at around 1130 hours, but refused to give the exact number of casualties, saying more details were awaited.

A report from Jagdalpur said the ultras ambushed at NH 43 the two trucks carrying villagers who were returning from Dornapal after attending a meeting of ongoing 'Salwa Judum', the peace movement launched by the tribals against the Communist Party of India (Maoists).

Syed Amin Jafri adds from Hyderabad: Some of the tribals injured in the blast have been brought to the government hospital in Bhadrachalam twon in Andhra Pradesh. State Home Minister K Jana Reddy told newsmen 28 people were injured and some very critical persons were shifted to the Bhadrachalam hospital.