Security forces bust Maoists’ training camp in Jharkhand

CHAIBASA - The security forces on Monday busted a Maoists training camp in Jharkhand’s Chaibasa District.

The camp was busted after a joint team of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Jharkhand Police engaged in gun-battle with the Maoists lasting nearly 24 hours on Sunday in the Bandgaon forest area.

“Throughout yesterday and even at night, we had a gun battle with the Maoists. The gunfight ended at around 10 today in the morning. The Maoists fled but we raided their camp and seized all their arms ammunitions and belongings,” said Rajiv Rai, commandant of Special Action Force (SAF).

Maoists had established the training camp in deep forests with latest equipments. As the forces approached the camp, the rebels started firing at them.

At least half a dozen security personnel got injured in the gun-battle but the Maoists fled with their injured comrades.

Heavy explosives, portable generator sets, food items and daily usable items were also recovered from the training camp.

Chaibasa Superintendent of Police, Praveen Kumar, said they are still confirming the reports of the number of Maoists killed in the gun battle.

“This success was quite essential because as per the media reports also, the camp housed Maoists even from other states. They developed a huge camp by setting IEDs and firepower,” Kumar said.

“We have even received information of some of the Maoists getting killed in the gunfight. As the Maoists never leave the dead bodies behind, they must have fled with them. Villagers in the district have also indicated that some Maoists were killed in the operation but we are still confirming it from our sources,” he added.

However, the bodies of the rebels are yet to be recovered.(ANI)