Maoists attack policemen, blast rail tracks in Jharkhand

Ranchi, June 27 (IANS) One policeman was killed and 12 were injured when Maoist rebels ambushed their mini-bus in Jharkhand Tuesday night. The rebels launched another attack early Wednesday, blasting a railway track and a bridge, police said.

The policemen were attacked near Topchachi police station of Dhanbad district, around 210 km from Ranchi, a police spokesperson told IANS.

The injured policemen have been admitted to hospital and condition of two are said to be critical.

Early Wednesday, Maoists blasted a railway track between Taitulmuri and Nisitpur railway stations under Dhanbad railway division.

The rebels blasted both the up and down tracks. More than one dozen trains were affected due to the blast. Repair work has started.

The Maoists also blasted a bridge near Chhatapur village of Giridih district that connects Giridih with Dhanbad.

The rebels have called a shutdown Wednesday in five states to protest the conviction of five Maoist guerrillas by a Uttar Pradesh court.