The day after an abducted policeman was killed by Maoists, the Bihar government has sought 40 companies of para-military forces from the Centre to fight Naxals.

A senior state home department official said on Friday that government had already requested the Centre to provide 40 companies of para-military forces to carry out combing operations against Maoists.

Sources said that the decision was taken in a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar after news emerged about the cop's murder. Besides, it has also been decided to take Army and Air Force assistance.

ADG (headquarters) P K Thakur told rediff.com the police had intensified operations to safely release of three policemen.