Two GRP jawans killed and arms looted by CPI(Maoist) ultras

Patna, June 20 (UNI) The CPI(Maoist) guerrillas, who killed two Government Railway Police(GRP) jawans and injured four in Howrah-bound Bagh Express last night, also decamped with three rifles, one carbine and some cartridges near Sonepur, about 30 km from here.

East Central Railway sources today said a heavily armed 25 to 30-member gang swooped down on the train at Golden Gunj station near Chapra and started pumping bullets on the GRP escort party in one of the compartments at a remote place near Bara Gopal station.

Two of the GRP personnel - Umesh Singh and Ajit Paswan - were killed on the spot, while four others sustained bullet injuries.

All the injured were later admitted to Sonepur Government Hospital.

Later, they were sent to Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH), where the condition of some was stated to be critical.

Before escaping in the dark, the guerrillas looted three rifles, one carbine and several rounds of ammunition from the deceased and the injured GRP personnel.

However, though two passengers were reported to be injured in the crossfire, it was evident from the modus-operandi of the guerillas that the Maoists raided the train with the sole aim to loot the arms from the GRP personnel and not to harm the passengers.

Though a massive combing operation was launched to nab the ultras, none had been arrested so far.

Senior Police and Railway officials had rushed to the spot to review the entire situation.

Meanwhile, the train, coming from Kathgodam in Uttarakhand, later left for Howrah.

UNI