Maoists hijack passenger train in Jharkhand

Around 200 Maoist rebels hijacked a train with over 400 passengers in Latehar district of Jharkhand this morning, a day ahead of the second phase of Lok Sabha polls, police said. The Barkana to Mughalsarai train was hijacked by the militants at Hehegada railway station.

Around 200 Maoist rebels hijacked a train with over 400 passengers in Latehar district of Jharkhand on Wednesday morning, a day ahead of the second phase of Lok Sabha polls, police said.

The Barkana to Mughalsarai train was hijacked by the militants at Hehegada railway station.

"We have dispatched forces to rescue the train and ensure safe release of the passengers," Latehar Deputy Commissioner of Police Sarvendu Tathagat told IANS on phone.

Eighteen people, including 10 security personnel, were killed in Maoist violence in the first phase of polls in the same district April 16.