For the first time in anti-Naxal operations, a military helicopter was used to evacuate senior police officials trapped in police posts under attack from Naxals in Chhattisgarh’s Narayanpur district last night.In New Delhi, Home Ministry officials said that Naxals carried out a series of coordinated attacks on two police outposts adjoining the Abujmarh hills, home of the Maria tribe. They had also laid land mines along the exit and entry routes, trapping SP R Bhedia and other officials who had rushed to the spot.Ministry officials said that the Naxals wanted to loot arms and ammunition from the police. Ten policemen were injured in the attack.Naxals are known to have a training camp inside Abujmarh, protected by land mines along the route. Ministry officials admitted that security forces were having a problem reaching there. ‘‘The camp is deep inside the forest and the area is heavily mined. Security forces do not have access to the training camp,’’ an official said.Last night, the Naxals first attacked the police post at Chhota Dongar in Narayanpur around 11 pm. They then turned on a police post at Dhau Dai, some 8 km from Chhota Dongar.As police reinforcements were being rushed, the Naxals trapped senior police officials in Pharasgaon near Narayanpur. The police managed to repulse the attack only after a 6-hour gun-battle.The attack is a clear indication that Left wing extremists have trained and organised themselves to mount well coordinated attacks against the police. Officials also admitted that the Naxals were using sophisticated communication instruments to carry out the attacks.It’s learnt that Chhattisgarh is likely to launch a counter offensive in the area soon. ‘‘A counter-offensive is being launched by the state police and the Central police forces,’’ an official said.Officials accepted that the strategy to deal with the Naxals was being revised. While Central forces were earlier targeting middle-level cadres, it has now been decided to go after the leadership, including ideologues spread across the country.The special task force headed by Anil Choudhury, Special Secretary, Home, will meet on June 14. The task force deals with operational issues. The coordination committee headed by the Union Home Secretary is also likely to meet in Hyderabad on June 17 and decide on the future course of action.
