From The Times Of India
[ PATNA/MUNGER: With officials on Monday confirming seven more deaths, the toll in Sunday's fierce encounter between security forces and Maoists in forests of Kajra Hills of Lakhisarai district, 150km from Patna, went up to 11. The toll is likely to rise as three of the 10 missing cops are yet to return.
Lakhisarai SP Ashok Kumar Singh said a team of Bihar Military Police, Special (Bihar) Auxiliary Force and CRPF located the bodies. The dead included six BMP jawans, Kawaiya police outpost officer in charge Bhulan Yadav and a policeman. ADG, BMP, C Verma, who is camping at the site, told TOI, "A BSF chopper is trying to locate the three missing cops. After the rescue operation, the chopper will be used for an aerial recce of the area prior to a combing operation against the Maoists," he added.
Chief minister Nitish Kumar visited the seven injured policemen, who were taken by air and admitted to Patna Medical College and Hospital. Their condition is stated to be stable. Reports reaching Patna said at least 34 weapons, including AK-47 rifles and carbines, were looted by the Maoists. The Lakhisarai SP said the kin of slain policemen will be paid Rs 10 lakh each. The Maoists had opened fire at a team of CRPF, BMP and SAP personnel during a combing operation at Ramtalnagar village, Singh said.
He attributed the heavy casualties to Maoists raining bullets from atop the hill. "Stranded at the foothill, our forces were in a disadvantageous position," he said and claimed they still gunned down "at least 14 or 16 Maoists whose bodies were taken away by the retreating extremists". Meanwhile, the injured cops blamed CRPF for the casualties.
Lakhisarai SP Ashok Kumar Singh said a team of Bihar Military Police, Special (Bihar) Auxiliary Force and CRPF located the bodies. The dead included six BMP jawans, Kawaiya police outpost officer in charge Bhulan Yadav and a policeman. ADG, BMP, C Verma, who is camping at the site, told TOI, "A BSF chopper is trying to locate the three missing cops. After the rescue operation, the chopper will be used for an aerial recce of the area prior to a combing operation against the Maoists," he added.
Chief minister Nitish Kumar visited the seven injured policemen, who were taken by air and admitted to Patna Medical College and Hospital. Their condition is stated to be stable. Reports reaching Patna said at least 34 weapons, including AK-47 rifles and carbines, were looted by the Maoists. The Lakhisarai SP said the kin of slain policemen will be paid Rs 10 lakh each. The Maoists had opened fire at a team of CRPF, BMP and SAP personnel during a combing operation at Ramtalnagar village, Singh said.
He attributed the heavy casualties to Maoists raining bullets from atop the hill. "Stranded at the foothill, our forces were in a disadvantageous position," he said and claimed they still gunned down "at least 14 or 16 Maoists whose bodies were taken away by the retreating extremists". Meanwhile, the injured cops blamed CRPF for the casualties.
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