Wednesday, July 12 2006 17:32 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Ranchi: The Jharkhand Government plans to construct 16 helipads to intensify its fight against Maoist guerrillas, an official of the state civil aviation department said Wednesday.

The civil aviation department has sought the help of Airports Authority of India (AAI) to construct the helipads in Maoist-affected districts, said the official.

"The helipads will be constructed in a joint venture of the civil aviation and home departments," he said.

"The home department will use the helipads for launching anti-Maoist operations while the civil aviation department will use it for better air connectivity," he explained.

The state government has cleared the purchase of six helicopters, of which four will be used for operations against guerrillas.

Maoists are active in 16 of the 22 districts of Jharkhand. Nearly 550 persons, including 230 security personnel, have been killed in Maoist-related violence in the last five years.