Maoists blow up rail tracks in Jharkhand

Maoists today blew up railway tracks and torched three trucks in Jharkhand during a two-day shutdown called by them in protest against the Centre's decision to crackdown on naxals.
    
Maoists blasted railway tracks at Jharandih in the Coal belt Industrial Chord section in Dhanbad which led to the Shaktipunj Express and local trains being held up at various points, senior public relations officer of Dhanbad Rail Division Amrendra Das said.
    
A group of 12 armed Maoists also set fire to three trucks in Giridih district's Isri area and blocked the Dumri-Giridih road with felled trees, Giridih superintendent of police Ravi Kant Dhan said.
    
They also partially damaged a road bridge connecting Dumri to the Grand Trunk Road using explosives, the police officer said, adding gunshots were heard being fired in the area.