Date:22/08/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/22/stories/2008082255311400.htm

National

6 policemen killed in naxal ambush

Special Correspondent

PATNA: Naxalites killed six police personnel in an ambush at Nagwan village in Gaya district of Bihar on Thursday and decamped with five rifles.

About a dozen Maoists made an attempt to enter the Punjab National Bank branch in the village and rob it.

The police arrived only to find themselves surrounded by naxalites, who had taken position in the adjoining plateau and forest.

A naxalite and a civilian, said to be a bank customer, were also killed in the shootout that followed.

Five of the police personnel killed were Special Armed Police jawans. The sixth was an Assistant Sub-Inspector. Another jawan is fighting for his life in a hospital.

It was only after the arrival of CRPF personnel did the naxalites retreat into the forests.

A combing operation is on and the State’s borders with Jharkhand have been sealed.