Rail divisions across the state have been alerted on threat to trains during the Maoist called 48-hour bandh, which began midnight, in five states including Jharkhand.

"We have been asked to be on alert by our higher authorities following information of threat to trains," divisional rail manager of the Dhanbad Rail Division, A S Upadhaya told PTI over phone.

Asked about a local TV news report that there was also a threat by Jaish-e-Mohammad targeting Gujarat-bound trains, he said, "it's a general alert. We share intelligence inputs."

The Maoists have called the shutdown in protest against the arrest of Sheetalji, a cadre.

Several trains have been diverted to avoid Maoist- pockets during the bandh, railway sources said.

Meanwhile, the bandh has remained peaceful so far, Inspector General of Police V S Desmukh said.

Security forces have been asked to keep a watch on railway tracks, a soft target for Maoists.

The bandh impacted Maoist pockets in West and East Singhbhum districts, Palamau division, Simdega, Gumla, Khunti, Ranchi (rural) with long distance buses staying off the roads.