Fresh Maoist attack in Midnapore

In fresh Maoist violence in West Bengal, a patrolling party of the joint security forces came under fire in West Midnapore district today.

The attack came three days after the ultras stormed the Eastern Frontier Rifles (EFR) camp at Shilda in the district, leaving 24 jawans dead.

The attack took place when security men were on a search operation at a forested area in Banisole near Dharampur this morning, where a camp of the joint security forces is situated, police sources said. The security forces retaliated.

At least three landmines also exploded in the area, the sources said, adding there was no report of any casualty.

Meanwhile, a CID team visited the Shilda camp where 24 EFR jawans were killed by Maoists on February 15 and collected samples. The team included CID Additional Director General Raj Kanojia and IG Neeraj Pande.

State DGP Bhupinder Singh had said on Wednesday that the CID has started an inquiry into the attack.