India Maoists launch railway raid

Police in the central Indian state of Chattisgarh say Maoist rebels have blown up a railway engine in an attack at Bhamri in the Dantewada district.

The authorities say that more than 20 armed rebels entered a station and gagged the staff before planting bombs.

The rebels evacuated the area, and no one was reported injured.

Rebel attacks on civilians have increased recent months and police say the rebels have also been targeting other state-owned installations.

Electricity equipment and communication towers have also been attacked.

Correspondents say the attack was apparently an attempt to stop the export of iron ore from the area.

The explosives planted in the station building at Bhamri failed to explode.

Regional campaign

Last week, 25 people were killed after Maoist rebels blew up two trucks carrying civilians.

The Maoists have a strong presence in eight of 16 districts of Chattisgarh state.

Thousands have died in Maoist campaigns across central and southern India in the past 30 years.

The rebels are pressing for the creation of a communist state comprising tribal areas in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa, Bihar and Chhattisgarh.

The Indian government believes that there may be 10,000 armed Maoist rebels in India, correspondents say.