Operation against Maoists to continue: Bengal DGP

Pointing out that Maoists attack on Eastern Fronter Rifles (EFR) camp here was a setback for the security forces, the West Bengal DGP today said the operation against the ultras will continue.

"It is a setback because so many lives have been lost. But it will not change our resolve. Operation against Maoists will continue," DGP Bhupinder Singh told reporters after visiting the camp.

To a question, he said, "It was not expected that Maoists would attack in such a way. Secondly as it was a built up area so it was difficult to retaliate in a big way because that might have led to collateral damage including the loss of lives of civilians."

He said there was some retaliation by EFR jawans because "we have information that Maoists also suffered some casualties".

Asked whether there was any intelligence failure, the DGP said, "Maoists sneaked in from Jharkhand. There was overall warning about attacks but there was no specific input about this particular attack." He said Maoists had looted 40 weapons but could not say it for sure how much ammunition was taken away.