June 29 (Bloomberg) -- Indian security forces captured the main base of rebels in West Bengal two days after troops seized another Maoist stronghold.

More than 4,000 security forces personnel, including federal and state policemen, took control of the Kantapahari area in West Midnapore district, Raj Kanojia, West Bengal’s law and order inspector general, said today in a telephone interview from the state capital, Kolkata.

“The forces did not face any resistance from the rebels as they may have fled into neighboring states or are hiding in the jungles,” Kanojia said. “A full-scale search operation will start tomorrow and we will check the villages selectively. This was the headquarters of the Maoists.”

India banned the Communist Party of India (Maoist) and more than a dozen of its “front organizations” on June 22, granting police greater arrest powers. More than 720 civilians and security personnel died in 2008 in attacks by the rebels and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has called the Maoists, also known as Naxalites, the greatest threat to India’s internal security.

Security forces began an operation in West Bengal on June 18 to regain areas held by rebels, who are active in at least 11 of India’s 28 states. The city of Midnapore is about 103 kilometers (64 miles) west of Kolkata in northeast India.

Government forces retook Lalgarh in West Midnapore after rebels took control of the area on June 15 with the support of villagers, who opposed the state government.

Human Shields

Villagers, backed by the Maoists, formed human shields using axes, spears, bows and arrows and blocked roads before the security forces re-entered the area.

Ramgarh, another Maoist stronghold, was captured on June 27 and after Kantapahari, the security forces will try to take control of the Ayodhya Hills, in neighboring Puruliya district, West Bengal Home Secretary Ardhendu Sen said in a phone interview. The counter-insurgency operations “may take months” to complete.

“As far as Midnapore district is concerned, Kantapahari is the last rebel-held region,” Sen said.

To contact the reporter on this story: Jay Shankar in Bangalore at jshankar1@bloomberg.net.

Last Updated: June 29, 2009 10:06 EDT