A major day of voting in the world's biggest elections was marred by violence Thursday as suspected rebels killed four paramilitary soldiers and three polling officials traveling on buses after conducting balloting in two Indian states.
Maoist insurgents ambushed a bus near Shikaripada, a village in Jharkhand state, and fatally shot four paramilitary soldiers and two polling officials carrying voting machines. Suspected rebels also fatally shot an Indian poll official in the Indian-controlled portion of Kashmir.
With 814 million eligible voters, India votes in phases over six weeks, with results expected May 16. The violence came as millions turned out in 11 states in the election's second-biggest day, crucial for determining the winner between the governing Congress party and Hindu nationalist opposition. - AP