Naxalites's Attack

Naxalites attack two police posts, kill nine in Bihar

Four bridges bombed; many Maoists killed in encounters

PATNA: Naxalites of the Communist Party of India (Maoist) attacked and blew up two police posts and killed nine persons, including seven policemen, in Rohtas district of Bihar on Saturday night. They were confronted by the police at various points as they attempted to escape after bombing four bridges. The naxalites reportedly suffered casualties in the encounters.

The naxalites bombed two bridges in Nawadih and Rajpur before attacking the Rajpur and Baghaila police pickets with petrol bombs. Seven police personnel and two civilians were killed. The naxals took away 16 weapons and two wireless sets.

The injured, including six police personnel, were admitted in the Sasaram Sadar Hospital and the BHU Hospital in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.

The naxalites blew up the two buildings and set ablaze two police vehicles. While escaping, they blew up two more bridges with landmines in Karakat to stall the police from getting on their trail.
Taken by surprise

However, the police confronted the biggest group of about 100 naxalites along the banks of the Sone near Nauner village in Obra block of Aurangabad district, blocking their bid to sneak into the jungles of neighbouring Chhattisgarh. Taken by surprise, the naxalites sought to retreat into Rohtas district.

By then, on the request of the Aurangabad police, the Rohtas police moved in and took position closing their retreat routes. Central paramilitary forces and the STF joined forces with the two units.

According to the police, the naxalites were once again seeking to escape through Aurangabad. They suffered heavy casualties, the police said without specifically stating the number, claiming they had taken away the bodies of their comrades.

The police arrested two naxalites and seized 10 weapons, including seven belonging to the police, six grenades and a few detonators. They also reportedly engaged other groups of fleeing naxalites in encounters in places such as Dehri-on-Sone and Tadwa in Rohtas district.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar reviewed the situation and took up the matter with the Centre demanding 10 additional companies of the Central Reserve Police Force for deployment in Rohtas district. Inspector-General of Police, Patna, Rajballah Sharma and Inspector-General (Operations) S.K. Bhardhwaj arrived here to supervise the operations. A red alert was sounded in the vicinity.