Latehar (Jharkhand), Nov. 8 (ANI): In a desperate bid to prevent the control of counter-insurgency troops, Maoist ultras launched a vicious attack on a temporary paramilitary camp in Jharkhand's Latehar District on Tuesday, injuring five personnel of the Jharkhand Jaguar-a specialised anti-Maoist police force.
The incident occurred on Tuesday morning, soon after security personnel arrived at a local school building-turned-temporary camp to rest after a day of intense patrolling in the strife-ridden area known to be a Maoist hotbed.
Using explosives and sophisticated arms with chilling stealth, the ultras orchestrated their sinister plan with brazen impunity.
Aiming to maximise the extent of the damage, the ultras first triggered a massive blast in the building and began firing from three sides of the building soon after, having surrounded the 'target' in the dark of the night.
Such was the intensity of the blast that three rooms of the building were reduced to rubble. Hundreds of bullet holes were also seen on the walls of the main building, testifying the fierceness in the gun battle between Maoists and security personnel.
According to officials, fighters from the CRPF and Jharkhand Jaguar exchanged nearly a thousand rounds of ammunition in the four-hour long shootout.
Condemning the attack, Inspector General of the paramilitary outfit, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), B.K. Sharma, said the prime motive of the Maoists seemed to be to completely destroy the camp.
"Maoist ultras attacked us at the camp at about 12.30 in the night under a well-planned and well executed plan. They had already placed IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices) near the camp, probably because they were aware that the personnel would be camping at the building for the night. They triggered the blast and soon after, began firing from three sides of the building. Their aim was to overrun the camp," said Sharma.
Sharma asserted that though the unexpected offensive took the CRPF and Jharkhand Jaguar personnel by surprise, they wasted no time in launching a fierce counter-attack on the Maoists.
"The attack launched by the Maoists was a very serious challenge. However, our personnel defended and launched the counter-attack with twice the vigour. It was a marvellous and brave fight back," he said.
Despite strong measures taken by the Central Government in eradicating the ultras, the Maoist insurgency has gripped nearly one-third of the country, spreading into the interiors of 20 states of the country. (ANI)
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