Naxals cleared from Ramgarh in West Bengal

Ramgarh, June 27 (ANI): Security forces on Saturday captured Ramgarh, an area under Maoists in a two-sided attack to reclaim areas in West Midnapore district.

"We have secured Ramgarh. We will establish a police outpost and a camp. The police will restore normalcy. The operations will continue," said Inspector General CID (special operations group) Siddhinath Gupta.

Security forces had to face stiff resistance as Maoists had detonated landmines and opened gunfire.

Security forces headed from Lalgarh in the south and Kadasole in north on Friday, towards Ramgarh on Saturday morning, a senior CRPF officer said.

Ten companies consisting of 1000 men of the CRPF, the India Reserve Battalion and Rapid Action Force set out from Kadasole. They had to counter firing and three landmine explosions Maoists. n response to the Maoist attacks, the security forces struck back with AK-47s, mortars and rocket propelled grenade launchers, the officer said.

A mine detection unit and a team from the District Intelligence Bureau preceded the security forces, which also comprised jungle warfare experts of the CRPF.

Maoists also burnt down an office of the All India Trade Union Congress, when they were not allowed to take refuge in the building shortly before the security forces entered Ramgarh. (ANI)