15 Jun 2019 | 01:05 AM UTC
India: Maoist rebels kill five police officers in Jharkhand state June 14
Maoist rebels kill five police officers in Jharkhand state June 14; similar attacks possible in eastern India over the coming weeks
Event
Maoist rebels killed five police officers in an attack in Jharkhand state on Friday, June 14. The assault reportedly took place near the state's border with West Bengal state.
Similar Maoist rebel attacks are possible in eastern India over the coming weeks.
Context
Maoist insurgents (Naxalites) have been active for several decades in rural areas of the states of Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Odisha, Bihar, and West Bengal, as well as in the border region around Andhra Pradesh. An estimated 6000 people have died in the past 20 years, though activities have decreased recently in part due to a security crackdown. Restrictions on the movement of foreigners are in place for some rural areas of eastern India, including parts of Chhattisgarh.
Advice
Individuals in India, particularly those in Jharkhand state, are advised to monitor developments to the situation and remain vigilant for potential militant activity, particularly if planning on traveling to rural areas of the abovementioned states.
