Sasaram:
The bodies of five Kharwar tribe members, killed in an attack by Maoists, were recovered from the hills of Banda village in Bihar's Rohtas district today.
Over 100 heavily-armed Maoists swooped on the village around 8 pm last night and fired at random, killing five persons including a woman on the spot and injuring four others, sources said.
The ultras also burnt the house of a local leader and former 'mukhiya' Sugrive Singh Khairwar, who had been spearheading an agitation against the ultra-left outfit and also those opposed to the development of the region.
Superintendent of Police Mannu Maharaj today reached the spot with CRPF personnel after trekking the hills and jungles.
The five victims were identified as Ram Pravesh Khairwar, Awadhesh Khairwar, Sriram Khairwar, Shyambihari Khairwar and Chanda Devi.
Director General of Police Neelmani said personnel of Bihar Military Police, Special Task Force, Central Reserve Police Force and Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (Cobra) personnel were combing the area now.
One of the five deceased, Sriram is the brother of Sugrive.
The Maoists carried out the operation in apparent retaliation to the killing of their top leader and self-styled commander Brinder Rana Yadav recently.
All the police stations in Maoist-hit areas of Rohtas, Kaimur, Aurangabad districts have been alerted.