M A I N   N E W S

Maoists target police, blow up rail tracks during bandh

Ranchi, June 27
A policeman was today killed and 15 others wounded in an exchange of fire with Maoists, who also blasted railway tracks and an engine during a 24-hour Jharkhand bandh called by them.

Maoists fired on a police patrol on the Grand Trunk Road in Dhanbad district, about 210 kms from here, killing the policeman and injuring 15 others, Divisional Commander of the Railway Protection Force Shashi Kumar told PTI.

The patrol also fired back, he said, adding that 10 injured policemen were admitted to a hospital in Dhanbad and 5 others were referred to Ranchi.

In Latehar district, the ultras also blasted the building of Hehegarha Railway station, about 100 kms from here.

Railway staff at Hehegarha said the Maoists, including women cadres, beat them up before detonating six bombs that damaged tracks, the engine of a stationary goods train and the station building.

A separate group of ultras triggered blasts on railway tracks near Tetulmari in Dhanbad district, disrupting service for over six hours before they were repaired at around 7:30 am, Kumar said.

Three passenger trains between Barkakana and Dehri-on-Sone were cancelled. — PTI