New Delhi, Mar 1 (UNI) The Ministry of Home Affairs(MHA) today asked the Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh governments to step up coordination after eight people were killed in a naxal attack on the Jagadalpur-Hyderabad road in South Bastar early this morning.

MHA sources told UNI that the anti-naxal cell of of the ministry had been in touch with both the governments and offered to extend all help.

Sources said today's incident had once again underlined the need for better coordination between states to foil the increasing inter-state operations of the Maoists.

Eight people, including four Naga Armed Force (NAF) personnel, were killed by the Maoists by triggering a landmine near Darbhaguda village early today.

The rebels also robbed the security personnel of two self-loading rifles, two AK-47 assault rifles, a grenade, a binocular, a wireless set and battery.

Though there has been a reduction in naxal violence in the past few months, Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh continue to report Maoists attacks.

Chhattisgarh has reported the largest number of 41 incidents in January this year. In these incidents, eight security personnel, 12 civilians and 14 naxalites were killed. As many as 304 civilians, 84 security personnel and 74 naxals were killed in 715 incidents in the state during 2006.

The second largest number of casualties was reported from Andhra Pradesh where five civilians and seven naxals were killed in 12 incidents during January.

Though naxal violence claimed many lives in Jharkhand in 2006, there seems to be a reduction in naxal activity in the state this year. Only five civilians were killed in January this year.

UNI