Maoists kill six security men in Bihar gunfight

PATNA - Six security personnel were killed and 10 injured by Maoists in a gunfight in a forested area of Bihar’s Lakhisarai district, police said Monday.

“Six Bihar Military Police personnel were killed late Sunday in the gun battle with over 200 rebels in the forests of Ghoghraghat Kanimoh (some 150 km from here),” said a senior police official in Lakhisarai.

Kavaiyah outpost officer incharge Bhulan Yadav was among those killed by the rebels.

The gunfight lasted six hours and the guerrillas looted 30 rifles from the security personnel, the police official said.

Seven seriously injured personnel were admitted to the Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH).

“More than 200 armed Maoists, including women, in green military dress, attacked search teams of the Bihar Police that were combing the area after intelligence reports of Maoists’ presence in the forest,” another police official said.

The police have launched combing operations in Lakhisarai and adjoining areas, the official said.

Additional Director General of Police (Headquarters) P.K. Thakur told IANS that additional security forces, including a special COBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action) battalion and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) troopers, have been rushed to Lakhisarai for the combing operations.

According to police in Lakhisarai, security personnel reached the incident site more than 24 hours after the gunfight started.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar visited injured security personnel at PMCH here and announced a probe into the incident.

“I held a meeting with top officials in this regard Monday morning and asked Bihar police chief Neelmani to visit the incident site and enquire into it,” he said.

He announced compensation of Rs.10 lakh to the next of kin of each of those killed and Rs.50,000 to Rs.2 lakh for the injured security personnel.