Maoists seize train on WB-J'khand border

The attackers took control of the Tata-Kharagpur train when it was nearing Kanumahali station on the Howrah-Kharagpur section

Heavily-armed Maoists seized a passenger train near a dense forest on West Bengal-Jharkhand border on Sunday morning and threatened to blow it up if their demands were not met.

HT Image

The attackers took control of the Tata-Kharagpur train at around 1025 hours when it was nearing Kanumahali station on the Howrah-Kharagpur section, a South-Eastern Railway spokesman said.

They snatched a rifle from an RPF jawan and a walkie-talkie set from the driver, he said.

Some panic-stricken passengers jumped from the running train and ran towards Chakulia station.

There was no immediate report of any injury sustained by passengers or the railway staff, the spokesman said. The sources said the Maoists did not spell out their demands.

The incident happened between Gidni and Chakulia stations, 76 kms from Howrah.