Maoists attack police camp in Purulia

In a daring attack, a group of over 25 Maoists attacked a police camp belonging to the joint forces in Purulia district, West Bengal, injuring ten police personnel, the police said on Sunday. In a retaliatory raid by the forces on a nearby village, three ultras were injured.

Purulia Superintendent of Police Rajesh Yadav said Maoists, aided by villagers belonging to the People's Committee against Police Atrocities, raided the Gurpana police camp at approximately 11.30 am ostensibly to loot arms and ammunition. However, the PCPA denied involvement in the incident.

Ten policemen were injured in the firing. Five of them were rushed to Purulia Sadar hospital while the rest were given first aid, Yadav said.

Fifty police personnel belonging to the Central Reserve Police Force and the state armed police were housed in the camp. The ultras fled when the police retaliated to their attack.

Soon afterwards, the joint forces led by Deputy Superintendent of Police (Headquarters) Tanmay Sarkar raided nearby Koira village, where the Maoists were believed to have taken shelter.

In the encounter that followed, three Maoists were injured, Yadav said, adding that the ultras managed to flee into the nearby jungles.

Police personnel have been posted at the village and combing operations have been launched in the jungles to flush out the ultras, Yadav said.