Kolkata: Breaking News! The Maoists struck in West Bengal's Sealdah area on Monday evening, killing at least 24 security men. A group of 40-50 armed naxals entered the joint forces camp and started indiscriminate firing.

 

According to reports, there were 51 security personnel inside the Sealdah camp, including 35 Eastern Frontier Rifles (EFR) and State Armed Police (SAP) personnel. Top Maoist leader Koteswar Rao alias Kishenji has claimed that his group - the banned Communist Party of India-Maoist - was behind the attack. He asked for the immediate withdrawal of security forces from Lalgarh.

The incident occurred at a joint forces camp under the Binpur Police Station in the Sealdah area of West Midnapore District. The Maoists burnt the camp and planted landmines on the roads leading to the camp.

 

Additional security forces, including the night vision force with anti-landmine vehicles were sent to battle the Maoists. A massive hunt operation has been launched in the nearby areas.