Suspected Maoist rebels killed five people, including four policemen, returning from election duty in the eastern Indian state of Bihar, police said Friday. The policemen and one election official had been guarding polling stations in the state when a landmine ripped through their jeep late Thursday night near the town of Muzaffarpur, 70km (43 miles) from the state capital Patna.
Bihar, a hotbed of Maoist activity, was one of several parts of India to vote Thursday in the second stage of month-long general elections in which security forces have been on heightened alert for rebel attacks. "Police have launched a combing operation in the area against the Maoists," said additional director general of police Neelmani, who goes by one name.
Maoist attacks on polling stations during the first phase of voting last week claimed at least 19 lives, including 10 paramilitary troopers and five election workers. Polling in Bihar, which sends 40 members to India's 543-seat national parliament, has been staggered over four phases to ensure adequate deployment of security personnel.