In the biggest ever attack launched by Maoists against security forces in West Bengal, a camp of the Eastern Frontier Rifles (EFR) at Silda, 10 km from Jhargram town, was over-run by their armed squad this evening. At least 20 EFR jawans are feared to have been killed, officials said -- at least five of them burnt to death after being forced to huddle in a makeshift tent which was then set ablaze. The Maoists are said to have escaped with the camp's stockpile of INSAS rifles and SLRs. This is the second Maoist attack on an EFR camp, the last one was on November 4 in Gidhni near the Jharkhand border in which four jawans were killed. The Silda camp, set up in 2009 before the Lalgarh operations, had over 50 jawans when the attack occurred.
According to preliminary reports, a group of about 100 armed Maoists arrived in two vans, a Bolero and six motorcycles. They launched the attack by throwing a grenade just outside the camp which drew the jawans out who were then targeted. Many jawans are said to have escaped. Two Maoists were injured but they were reportedly taken away by their associates. Local officials said that Maoists also planted landmines on the stretch leading to the camp which is in the middle of a crowded, bustling market. Seven shops next to the camp were also torched by the Maoists. This attack comes six days after Union Home Minister P Chidambaram visited Kolkata and held a meeting with Chief Ministers of Maoist-affected states at Writers' Buildings giving final touches to what was being planned as a joint operation by security forces. The Home Minister also urged Maoists to shun violence and come to talk.But within hours of today's attack, Maoist leader Kishenji called up local TV channels and claimed responsibility for the attack.Threatening to repeat such strikes, he said this was "our reply to Operation Green Hunt" and claimed that "at least 35 jawans" were killed. The bullet-ridden, charred bodies of the EFR jawans were strewn in pools of blood as fire raged in the tent.
According to preliminary reports, a group of about 100 armed Maoists arrived in two vans, a Bolero and six motorcycles. They launched the attack by throwing a grenade just outside the camp which drew the jawans out who were then targeted. Many jawans are said to have escaped. Two Maoists were injured but they were reportedly taken away by their associates. Local officials said that Maoists also planted landmines on the stretch leading to the camp which is in the middle of a crowded, bustling market. Seven shops next to the camp were also torched by the Maoists. This attack comes six days after Union Home Minister P Chidambaram visited Kolkata and held a meeting with Chief Ministers of Maoist-affected states at Writers' Buildings giving final touches to what was being planned as a joint operation by security forces. The Home Minister also urged Maoists to shun violence and come to talk.But within hours of today's attack, Maoist leader Kishenji called up local TV channels and claimed responsibility for the attack.Threatening to repeat such strikes, he said this was "our reply to Operation Green Hunt" and claimed that "at least 35 jawans" were killed. The bullet-ridden, charred bodies of the EFR jawans were strewn in pools of blood as fire raged in the tent.
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