Thaindian News

Kolkata, Feb 15 (IANS) At least 20 security force personnel were killed in a Maoist guerrilla attack on a police camp in West Midnapore district of West Bengal Monday, police said.
The incident took place at Shilda locality in the district when a group of Maoists opened fire at central paramilitary force troopers in a camp.

“We have received information that 20 central forces jawans were killed in the attack,” West Midnapore district magistrate N.S Nigam told IANS.

“We are establishing contact with the personnel there,” he said when asked about the number of wounded troopers.

Earlier, state Director General of Police Bhupinder Singh said that some casualties had taken place at Shilda where a joint forces’ camp was attacked by the Maoists.

“There have been some casualties,” he said.

“We have got information that a group of Maoist rebels attacked a joint forces camp at Shilda and also set it afire. We are sending reinforcements to the spot,” Inspector General of Police (Western range) Kuldip Singh told IANS.

According to local sources, the Leftwing rebels came on bikes and ransacked the joint forces’ establishment, took away firearms and later set it ablaze.

The Maoists planted landmines at Narayanpurchak area near the camp and scattered pamphlets around before escaping, police said.