The government today said the "dastardly attack" on Eastern Frontier Rifle jawans in West Bengal has strengthened its resolve to fight the Maoist menace.
"It is a dastardly attack and I can only tell it has strengthened our resolve to fight against this menace...," Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee said, when asked about Monday's attack by the Maoists.
Twenty-four jawans of West Bengal's paramilitary force Eastern Frontier Rifle were killed when the ultras overran their camp at Silda in West Midnapore district after setting it on fire.
Home Minister P Chidambaram has said the attack is "another outrageous attempt by the banned organisation to overawe the established authority in the State."