Maoists torch two vehicles in Jharkhand

Two vehicles used in coal mining operations were set on fire by suspected Maoists in Jharkhand's Latehar district on Wednesday, police said.

According to police, armed cadres of the People's Liberation Front of India (PLFI) raided a coal mining site near Balumath railway station and took the security guards present at the location captive.

The militants allegedly poured petrol over two vehicles engaged in mining-related work and set them ablaze before leaving the area. The incident caused panic at the mining site and raised fresh concerns over security for mining operations in the region.

A police officer said the PLFI claimed responsibility for the attack, alleging that mining activities were being carried out without the outfit's permission.

Security forces were expected to intensify searches in and around the area following the incident to identify and track down those involved.

Extremist groups operating in Jharkhand have frequently targeted mining and industrial activities, often seeking illegal payments from contractors, traders and industrialists. Such attacks are aimed not only at disrupting economic activity but also at exerting influence over businesses operating in areas where the groups maintain a presence.

The latest incident highlights the continuing security challenges faced by Jharkhand's mining sector, particularly in districts where armed extremist groups have historically attempted to impose their influence over local economic activities.