8, including 5 policemen, killed in Maoist attack in Jharkhand

Eight persons, including six policemen, were killed and four injured when Maoists attacked the convoy of former Jharkhand Speaker and MP Inder Singh Namdhari who escaped unhurt in Latehar district today.

The Maoists triggered an IED blast and then opened fire on the security vehicle which was following Namdhari's car at Ladu More in the district, Director General of Police GS Rath said.

Six policemen, including Assistant Sub-Inspector Bhim Tudu, and two civilians were killed in the attack, Rath and Latehar SP BD Sharma said.

The attack took place when the MP was returning from a function at Mahuatand, Inspector General of Police (Operation) RK Malik said.

Namdhari said his escort vehicle was caught in the blast but his car was able to speed away.

Latehar Additional SP B Chandramohan said that besides, the ASI, four constables and a hawildar were among the dead in the attack that took place at around 5:30 pm in the dense forest areas near Project Tiger at Palamau.

According to unconfirmed reports a child was also killed in the blast which came hours before the Maoist’s call for a two-day Bharat Bandh from midnight tonight.

Chandramohan said all police stations were alerted and a massive combing operation would be carried out in Palamau division under which Latehar falls.

About a hundred Maoists had reportedly congregated in Latehar yesterday and pledged revenge for the killing of their top leader Kishanji in neighbouring West Bengal.