Patna, Sep 20 (IANS): Twenty-eight passenger trains have been cancelled for a week in Bihar and Jharkhand in view of a Maoist threat, an official said here Saturday.

"The East Central Railway has cancelled 28 passenger trains under its five division in view of Maoist threat," said A.K. Razak, chief public relation officer of the ECR.

According to police officials, Maoists have announced they would celebrate their foundation day sometime between Sep 21-30.

Security has been tightened across Bihar following an intelligence report that Maoists are likely to target trains.

Razak said in past trains were soft target during Maoists shutdown in the state. "We have taken this as a precautionary measure."

Razak said it was decided to run an engine ahead of Rajdhani Express trains passing through the state. Besides, special security deployment would be made on rail bridges and tracks.

Railway authorities instructed a speed restriction on mail and express trains, including the Rajdhani, in the Maoist-hit areas.

The Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) will celebrate its 10-year of formation and likely to launch fresh attacks to protest the ongoing green hunt operations by security forces.