Two Maoists killed in Bihar encounter

Munger (Bihar), June 3 (ANI): Security personnel on Thursday gunned down two Maoists in an encounter at Baghail forest area in Biohar's Munger district on Thursday.

According to sources, the encounter ensued when policemen were carrying out a combing operation in the forest to flush out the militants.

A rifle along with 40 live cartridges were recovered from the site.

Maoist rebels in recent months have stepped up attacks in retaliation to the joint operations launched by central paramilitary and state police outfits to flush them out of their jungle bases.

The Maoists have been active in rural areas of central and eastern India and often attack railway lines and mining operations to cripple economic activity, such as the transportation of coal to power and steel plants.

The rebel movement started as a peasant revolt in Naxalbari village in West Bengal in 1967, giving Maoists the local name of "Naxals" or "Naxalites".

The rebels say they are fighting for the rights of the poor and marginal farmers and landless labourers. (ANI)