Joint operation with West Bengal likely to track down maoists: DGP

Jharkhand Police suspects that a Maoist squad led by top Naxal leader Prabil Da could be behind the landmine blast in the district that left eight police and poll personnel dead even as it decided to launch a joint operation with West Bengal Police to track down the ultras.

"We are in touch with the West Bengal police and ready for a joint operation," Jharkhand Police Chief Rajeev Kumar told reporters here today suspecting that the Maoist squad led by 'Prabil da' could be behind the attack.

Three additional police companies will be deputed to Dumka to step up anti-Maoist operation, he said. The ultras had first fired indiscriminately on a vehicle before blowing up the bus carrying the victims yesterday. The rebels looted five INSAS rifles, 25 magazines and about 550 bullets, the DGP said. 

Stating that he himself took stock of the security preparations before commencement of the polls, Kumar said accountability would be fixed after looking into lapses, if any. "Our strategy was implemented during the first two phases of polling, which passed off peacefully," he said, adding that a probe would be instituted to look into yesterday's Maoist attack.  He said that the relatives of the deceased would be given compensation.

Re-polling would be held in two booths as the EVMs being carried by the personnel were damaged in the attack, Kumar said.