Lucknow, Apr 6: Naxalites have set up new bases in Uttar Pradesh and are planning "major strikes" in the state, a top police officer has said. "We have information that new entrants are being trained in the jungles and rugged zones. We are working to avert any strike," the senior officer, who refused to be identified, said.

Quoting intelligence reports, the officer said the Naxals were planning to attack offices and camps of security forces besides planning to loot explosives from godowns of rock industry units and wholesale suppliers based in Sonebhadra and Mirzapur.

The last major Naxal strike in Uttar Pradesh was on November 20, 2004, when the ultras ambushed a police patrol party and killed at least 17 cops near a culvert in Chandauli district.

The incident occurred when landmines blew up the vehicle carrying Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) personnel, who were proceeding towards Naugarh Police Station area for a combing operation.

Besides, the senior officer said that the Naxals were also using "money power" to recruit people from weaker sections of the society with the help of some NGOs and smaller political outfits.

Such recruits generally conducted single strike after which they returned to their native villages to evade any suspicion, he added.