14 jawans killed in Maoists’ attack in West Bengal

Fourteen jawans were feared killed when armed Maoists attacked a paramilitary force camp at Sildha in West Midnapore district on Monday evening. Top police sources said at least 14 Eastern Frontier Rifles (EFR) jawans were feared killed in the attack which took place around 5.30 pm.

"According to information available here, nine jawans were burnt to death and five others were shot dead. We are yet to get the detailed figure of the casualty," a source said.

District Magistrate N S Nigam said at least 50 Maoists on 25 motorcycles and armed with sophisticated weapons swooped down on the camp. "There were 51 EFR jawans and officers in the camp when the attack took place," IGP (Law and Order) S Purakayastha told a news agency. Nigam said the Maoists also planted landmines on the entire stretch of the road leading to the camp.

Meanwhile, Maoist leader Kishenji has claimed responsibility for the attack. "We have attacked the camp and this is our answer to Chidambaram's 'Operation Green Hunt' and unless the Centre stops this inhuman military operation we are going to answer this way only," Kishenji said from an undisclosed location.

The attack took most of the jawans by surprise. The Maoists engaged in an initial exchange of fire with the sentries who repulsed the attack, but then the ultras outnumbered the jawans and barged into the camp setting it on fire, the officer said.

Kishenji, on the other hand, claimed there were at least 35 Eastern Frontier jawans who had been liquidated and they had looted sophisticated arms including AK-47, SLR and mortars from the camp which they set ablaze. Kishenji said they were ready for talks if the government stopped military operation. "Chidambaram has been constantly asking us to abjure violence and saying that the Centre is ready to speak, but this will not happen. Once the joint forces stop operation, we will also stop violence within 24 hours,"

- Asian Tribune -