In the second Maoist attack this week, heavily-armed ultras stormed Kasari village in Bihar's Jamui district and fired indiscriminately leaving nine villagers dead and injuring 12 others.

Around 125 ultras descended on the village on Wednesday night night and set afire 25 thatched houses. They then opened fire, killing nine villagers, police said today.

The strike was said to be in retaliation against the recent killings of eight activists of the proscribed CPI (Maoist) allegedly by the villagers, according to leaflets left by the ultras at the spot.

The attack came two days after Maoists killed 24 Eastern Frontier Rifle (EFR) jawans at Silda in West Midnapore after setting their camp on fire.

At least 100 Maoists armed with sophisticated weapons had exploded landmines near the Silda camp before barging inside with a volley of fire.