The West Bengal government admitted on Tuesday that intelligence failure led to the biggest-ever Maoist attack in the state, as it declared that joint operation by the combined forces against the Maoists will not be suspended.
Launching a manhunt for the attackers, the state police said
motorcycle-borne Naxals from neighbouring Jharkand sneaked in to execute the daring strike.
Home Secretary Ardhendu Sen admitted there was some failure on the part of intelligence and security forces, "May be there was lapse on their part", he said.
Union Home Minister P Chidambaram described the attack on the Eastern Frontier Rifles (ERF) camp in Shilda in West Midnapore district, 170 km from Kolkata, last evening as outrageous and accepted there were indications of "failure" in some aspects which only a detailed review would reveal.
24 jawans, some of them who were burnt alive, lost their lives.
"While there are indications of failure in some aspects, only a thorough review will reveal how the police camp with adequate strength was over-run, when there was day light, by the CPI (Maoist)," he said in a statement in New Delhi.
Union Railway Minister and Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee used the Naxal attack to slam the Left Front government again saying there was a "total failure" of law and order and demanded a central probe.
State Director General of Police Bhupinder Singh visited the ravaged camp at Shilda.
"It is a setback. But it will not change our resolve. Operation against Maoists will continue," Singh told reporters.