While the focus remains on the recent spate of Maoist attacks, statistics show that Naxals have been killing three persons in every two days for the past five years.
The Left-wing extremists have killed about 2,670 people--about 1,680 civilians and nearly 990 security personnel--since 2005, equalling three deaths every two days.
About 1,440 Maoists have also lost their lives in the past five years, which translates into nearly three casualties in every two days, according to data of the South Asia Terrorism Portal, a website managed by The Institute for Conflict Management, a Delhi-based security watchdog.
The statistics show that in the war against Naxalism, the rebels have an edge over security forces and are able to inflict maximum casualties on civilians and security personnel. Exhibiting their capability, the Maoists have killed more than 460 people alone this year. The victims included 167 security personnel.
Though all states located in the 'Red Corridor' have been affected, Chhattisgarh -- the hotbed of the Maoists -- bore the brunt, witnessing the deaths of 103 security personnel and 43 civilians.
The deaths included last month's killing of 75 paramilitary personnel in Dantewada district and the blowing up of a bus that killed over 30 civilians and special police officers in the same district earlier this month.
West Bengal was the second most Maoist-affected state, where Naxals killed 32 security personnel and 63 civilians
(excluding the Jhargram incident). Orissa, the third most affected state, witnessed death of 22 civilians and 17 security forces
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