Patna, April 15: Suspected Maoists attacked a Border Security Force (BSF) camp in Bihar's Rohtas district early Wednesday, a day ahead of the first phase of Lok Sabha polls. No casualty was reported in the incident, police said.
Over 100 armed Maoists attacked the BSF camp at Bhansa Ghati in Rohtas, about 150 km from here, around 1:00 am. One security personnel was injured in the incident.
"Maoists used three rocket launchers in their attack on the BSF camp. Two launchers failed and one rocket hit a wall," Additional Director General of Police (Police Headquarters) Neelmani said.
The BSF camp was set up to ensure peaceful polls in view of the boycott call by the outlawed Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist).
"A company of the BSF was camping there in view of the Maoist threat during polls," Neelmani said.
"Two Air Force helicopters are being used to comb the area and track the Maoists," he added.
In the first phase, in which 13 of the state's 40 seats will go to the polls, choppers will be deployed for security. The other three rounds will be held on April 23, 30 and May 7.
Elections in Bihar have usually been troubled affairs. In the 1999 Lok Sabha polls, 74 people were killed. In 2004, the toll was 20.
Meanwhile, seven people, including five Maoist rebels, were killed when guerrillas attacked a bus carrying security personnel in Jharkhand's Lathear area.
The bus carrying around 80 security personnel was ambushed near Nimiadih village of Lathear district, about 140 Km from here, late Tuesday.
Maoist rebels first detonated a landmine and then started firing indiscriminately. The security personnel retaliated with gunfire.
"The bus driver was killed on the spot and one security personnel died on the way to hospital. The bodies of five Maoist rebels have also been recovered," police spokesperson SN Pradhan told agencies.
Four security personnel were injured in the incident. They have been referred to the Apollo Hospital here.
Over 200 Maoist rebels also attacked a Border Security Force (BSF) camp near Ratnag in Palamau district, about 190 km from here, Tuesday night.
There were around 70 BSF personnel in the camp, which was set up to ensure peaceful polling. The gunbattle between the guerrillas and security personnel lasted several hours but no one was injured.
The six parliamentary constituencies that go to the polls in the first phase of elections Thursday are considered Maoist strongholds. The polling will be conducted under air surveillance by five India Air Force (IAF) helicopters.
IANS