After a few days of silence, the Maoists announced their presence in Lalgarh on Thursday by exploding a powerful IED near the Block Development Office where government secretaries were stationed. The site is very close to the Lalgarh police station.

Though the incident has raised questions about security in the sanitised areas, Praveen Kumar, DIG (Midnapore), who is heading the operations in Lalgarh, said: "A single incident cannot deny a victory. The mine was already there but it was exploded today. We have recovered long wires used to detonate it. However, no one was injured. We have some specific information regarding the group behind the incident and they will be arrested."

Meanwhile, security forces raided Boropelia and Chotopelia villages and other areas of Kantapahari to nab Chhatradhar Mahato, leader of People's Committee Against Police Atrocities. "We have secured the major roads and set up camps. But this is a multi-dimensional project and there is a lot of work to be done. Nobody against whom there are complaints will be spared," said Kumar.