Maoists stepped up violence activities in Bihar and Jharkand attacking a police picket and exploding an IED. In Jharkhand, the ultras attacked last night Saradih police picket in Palamu district, triggering a gun battle before the security forces forced them to retreat. Palamu Superintendent of Police said that the encounter lasted for about 30 minutes before the cadres retreated under heavy retaliation. There was no loss of life on any side in the attack. In Dumka, the rebels exploded an IED planted near Basuloi river bank near Kendua forest under Gopikandar police station. Dumka SP said, that Maoists exploded the IED much earlier before security personnel were to pass through the forest. In Bihar , heavily armed Maoists raided the house of a woman mukhiya of Dharpari Panchayat in Muzaffarpur district and shot dead her husband. SSP Muzafarpur said that additional forces have been rushed to the village. Maoists also attacked camp of Cobra battalion at Dumaria police station in Gaya district last night. The encounter lasted for about two hours. However there was no report of causalities from either side . Maoists managed to escape under the cover of darkness. The jawans have been carrying out anti Maoists operations in Dumaria interiors for the last four months .AIR patna correspondent reports that a massive manhunt has been launched to nab the Maoists. Meanwhile, two hardcore Naxalites were arrested in Patna district yesterday. Senior Superintendent of Police Alok Kumar said acting on a tip off, a police team raided hideouts at Hawsapur and Korium-Bela villages and apprehended the ultras. He said they were wanted in a number of incidents of Maoist violence in Patna, Arwal and Jehanabad districts, including the sensational jail break incident in Jehanabad in 2005.The two had been active for nearly two decades .