Security forces begin two-pronged thrust, meet some resistance

Amitava Roy
Kadasole (West Bengal), June 27 (PTI) Launching a
two-pronged offensive deep into Maoist-held areas, India's
security forces Saturday moved from Kadasole and Lalgarh in
eastern state of West Bengal where naxalites detonated three
landmines and engaged in a firefight with troops.
Besides detonating the landmines, the Maoists fired at
the security forces as the offensive resumed Saturday morning
with a march from Kadasole, secured yesterday, to Mohultol a
forested area, a senior CRPF officer told a PTI correspondent
accompanying the forces.
The 1000-strong security forces comprising the CRPF,
India Reserve battalion and the Rapid Action Force
retaliated with mortars, LMGs and AK-47s overcoming the
Maoists at Mohultol, the officer said.
Simultaneously from Lalgarh in the south, which was
taken over by the security forces from Maoists on June 20
after an eight-month siege, around 1100 security forces
marched towards Ramgarh and advanced to Amdanga, the officer
said.
There was no resistance from the Lalgarh end of
operations, he said.
The security forces, which also comprised jungle
warfare experts of the CRPF, were preceded by a mine detection
unit and a team from the District Intelligence Bureau.
The forces advancing from the forested flanks of the
roads were accompanied by anti-landmine vehicles and
bulldozers to clear the road.
DIG CID (Special Operations Group), S N Gupta said the
operations have entered a critical phase with resistance
anticipated from Maoists and tribals under the People's
Committee against Police Atrocities (PCPA).
A senior officer of the State Armed Police,
Murlidharan said the forces, during their advance through
villages were meeting the people, listening to their
grievances and assuring them security from the Maoists.PTI