Jailed Maoists make abortive escape bid in Patna

An abortive escape bid was made today by two Maoists lodged in a jail near here who tried to flee by exploding a crude bomb inside the prison van while on their way back from a court, a senior official said.

Sikandar and Sonu - both associated with the naxal outfit PLFI - were among a group of inmates of the Beur Central Jail, who were produced before a city court.

During return, a crude bomb was exploded inside the prison van while it was crossing the Dasaratha bypass, a few kilometres from the jail, Senior Superintendent of Police, Patna, Manu Maharaj told reporters.

He said "the explosives were provided to these naxals at the court premises. Another crude bomb and a country made pistol was recovered from the vehicle after it was parked inside the jail premises".

"It was a low-intensity explosive device and nobody was injured in the blast. While a detailed investigation into the incident is on, it appears that the explosives and firearm had been provided to the Maoists at the court by their associates to facilitate their escape", Maharaj said.

"However, our alert driver and other personnel escorting the prisoners did not lose their nerve and went on driving, giving no chance to the inmates to flee", he said.

He also said it would be investigated as to how bombs and pistol was handed over to prisoners who were escorted by police personnel.