Jamui/Patna:
A group of over 100 Naxals, including some women, attacked a passenger train in Bihar this afternoon killing three people and injuring seven others.
According to the police, the rebels snatched weapons from the Railway Protection Force (RPF) jawans who were on board the Dhanbad-Patna Intercity Express as a standard security precaution.
Reacting to the incident, Minister of State for Home, RPN Singh, said, "Sources of arms and ammunition have dried up for Naxals and they have resorted to such measures. These attacks on people and political leaders are a sign that the Naxals are on the back foot."
The train was attacked near Kundra halt around 1 pm just before Jamui railway station.
"The train was stopped when someone pulled the chain, there was no pre-decided halt," Railways Minister CP Joshi said.
According to news agency Press trust of India, the Naxals surrounded the Patna-bound train and opened fire as it entered a forest area in Jamui. An RPF jawan and a passenger were among those killed; the driver of the train received bullet injuries.
The encounter reportedly lasted for half an hour, after which the train headed to its destination.
Several passengers have alleged that security reinforcements didn't arrive at the spot even an hour after the incident happened.
Last month, the Naxals had ambushed a convoy of Congress politicians in Chhattisgarh. 19 people, including three senior party leaders, died in the gruesome attack.