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Maoists kill 50 Indian policemen | Maoists kill 50 Indian policemen |
(40 minutes later) | |
Maoist rebels have attacked a security post in central India, killing 50 police officers, police say. | Maoist rebels have attacked a security post in central India, killing 50 police officers, police say. |
The attack, one of the worst in decades of insurgency, happened in the rebel stronghold area of Dantewada, in Chhattisgarh state. | The attack, one of the worst in decades of insurgency, happened in the rebel stronghold area of Dantewada, in Chhattisgarh state. |
The Maoists, who have fought a 30-year insurgency, say they are fighting for the rights of landless farmers and neglected tribes. | The Maoists, who have fought a 30-year insurgency, say they are fighting for the rights of landless farmers and neglected tribes. |
Thousands have died in their campaigns in central and southern India. | Thousands have died in their campaigns in central and southern India. |
Co-ordinated assault | Co-ordinated assault |
The rebels attacked the security post - manned by 75 policemen - in Bijapur just before dawn on Thursday. | The rebels attacked the security post - manned by 75 policemen - in Bijapur just before dawn on Thursday. |
Under cover of darkness, they surrounded it. | Under cover of darkness, they surrounded it. |
Villagers take on the Maoists | Villagers take on the Maoists |
The BBC's Damian Grammaticas in Delhi says that the insurgents opened fire in a co-ordinated assault, throwing hand grenades and home-made petrol bombs into the compound before storming it. | The BBC's Damian Grammaticas in Delhi says that the insurgents opened fire in a co-ordinated assault, throwing hand grenades and home-made petrol bombs into the compound before storming it. |
They seized a hoard of weapons from the post, 1,500km south of Delhi, then escaped into the jungle. | They seized a hoard of weapons from the post, 1,500km south of Delhi, then escaped into the jungle. |
It is thought dozens of Indian policemen and soldiers were based at the post, along with many local militiamen. | It is thought dozens of Indian policemen and soldiers were based at the post, along with many local militiamen. |
The first security forces to arrive after the attack reported a large number of bodies scattered around the barracks but said they were unable to count them all because the rebels had planted land mines at the scene. | The first security forces to arrive after the attack reported a large number of bodies scattered around the barracks but said they were unable to count them all because the rebels had planted land mines at the scene. |
Chhattisgarh's police chief said that 12 security force members were injured and at least five rebels were killed. | Chhattisgarh's police chief said that 12 security force members were injured and at least five rebels were killed. |
Powerful | Powerful |
Earlier this month, five security personnel died in a landmine explosion in Dantewada district. | Earlier this month, five security personnel died in a landmine explosion in Dantewada district. |
The rebels have a strong presence in eight of 16 districts of Chhattisgarh state. | The rebels have a strong presence in eight of 16 districts of Chhattisgarh state. |
Much of the outpost was destoyed in the attack | |
The militants are known as Naxalites after the district where their Maoist-inspired movement was born in the late 1960s. | The militants are known as Naxalites after the district where their Maoist-inspired movement was born in the late 1960s. |
They have become so powerful in some districts they run their own parallel administrations and justice systems. | They have become so powerful in some districts they run their own parallel administrations and justice systems. |
Until recently, Naxalites have operated in pockets of jungle in India's poorest states. | Until recently, Naxalites have operated in pockets of jungle in India's poorest states. |
But correspondents say there is now more unity between the various groups, and that Thursday's attack will feed into anxiety that they pose a growing threat. | But correspondents say there is now more unity between the various groups, and that Thursday's attack will feed into anxiety that they pose a growing threat. |
Analysts talk about the emergence of the Red Corridor, a great swathe of Maoist militancy which stretches all the way from the border with Nepal, south through India to the sea. | Analysts talk about the emergence of the Red Corridor, a great swathe of Maoist militancy which stretches all the way from the border with Nepal, south through India to the sea. |
Around 6,000 Indians are thought to have died since the Naxalite uprising began. | Around 6,000 Indians are thought to have died since the Naxalite uprising began. |