Even as Maoist leaders operating in the Lalgarh-Jhargram belt claimed responsibility for the train attack, the police have neither confirmed nor ruled out the possibility of Maoist involvement.

Around nine miscreants had boarded the Up 605 Katihar-Malda Express in the guise of passengers and attacked the Government Railway Police (GRP) personnel late on Friday night. A GRP constable Arun Bhadra (40) was shot dead by the miscreants, while another constable, Sandip Singh, sustained a bullet injury in his leg.

Till now, the state government had maintained that the Maoists are active in three districts of Bengal — West Midnapore, Purulia and Bankura.

Eight persons have been arrested in connection with the train attack. Director General of Police Bhupindar Singh said: “We have sent a team of CID officials and other senior police officials. We are looking into the matter.”