Maoists on Tuesday exploded bombs and opened fire at a court premises in Bihar, injuring an official and two policemen, and launched attacks in Jharkhand and West Bengal on the second day of their bandh in five states to protest the Lalgarh action.

They blew up a panchayat building in Jharkhand and a community centre and a mobile phone tower in Bihar. They also made an abortive bid to disrupt the supply line of the security forces involved in the Lalgarh operation by detonating a landmine at Chara village between Midnapore and Kirakata in West Bengal.

In a daring operation, about 50 armed rebels attacked the civil court premises in Lakhisarai, about 165 kms from Patna, exploding bombs and opening fire. Deputy Development Commissioner Rajiv Ranjan and two policemen received injuries.

Ranjan sustained wounds when chunks of wood flying from a smashed window hit him, District Magistrate P K Jha said. He was given first aid at his residence, he said.

A constable and a havildar, who suffered splinter injuries, were rushed to the government hospital in Lakhisarai, Jha said, adding that the police posse posted there was outnumbered by the naxals.

The Maoists decamped with a carbine and two rifles of the policemen after breaking open a lock-up and freeing their self-styled commander Babulal Besra of Giridih, he said.

A group of about 20 armed Maoists descended on the vacant panchayat bhavan at around 3 am (IST) and blasted it after planting explosives in the building, Superintendent of Police Mohit Bundus told reporters in Medininagar in Jharkhand.

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