Security forces have decided to intensify patrolling on a 100-km stretch along the southeastern part of the state to protect trains from Naxalite and criminal attacks.

Additional director-general of police (law and order) S.K. Bharadwaj on Monday told The Telegraph: “The attack by suspected CPI (Maoist) cadres on the 13331 Dhanbad-Patna Intercity Express in Jamui district on June 13 has prompted us to take this decision.”

The attack, in which around 100 Maoists, including women cadres, took part, claimed three lives, including that of a Railway Protection Special Force (RPSF) officer. The rebels also looted two automatic assault rifles from the escort party in the train.

“After the attack, the police and railway authorities have reviewed security in the trains on the route. It has been found that the southeastern stretch of Bihar, which starts from the Bihar-Jharkhand border and includes Naxalite-affected districts like Jamui, Banka, Munger and Lakhisarai, are a soft target for the rebels as well as criminals.

“There have been many attacks on trains in these areas. Hence, both the police and the railways have decided to concentrate more on these areas,” Bharadwaj said.

He said the 100-km stretch, which mostly runs parallel to the railway lines and the stations in these districts, has been earmarked for intensified security.

“The route is being finalised. At present, the whole stretch will be 100-km-long and will include the railway stations and railway tracks. We have conducted studies and calculations and this stretch mostly runs parallel to the railway track, barring at a few places. Both the police and the railways will be choosing five points along the whole route and there will be a contingent of 100 jawans of central paramilitary forces, district police and special forces like the CoBRA battalion at each of these five points.

“Their job would be to ensure that the trains and the passengers remain safe from any kind of attacks. The final plan will be ready soon,” Bharadwaj said.