A self-proclaimed Maoist spokesman on Saturday claimed that the three policemen abducted by the rebels were safe and the proof about this would be provided shortly, but demanded the Bihar government immediately halt operations and call for talks. The spokesman, Avinash, rang up media offices including PTI and said they would provide by 4pm an audio CD containing the voices of the three policemen kidnapped on Sunday from Lakhisarai district. "Take it from me that all the three are safe," he said. But time was running out and the state government should immediately hold talks for the release of the three, he said. "We want the state government should halt the operations and hurry to hold talks for securing the safe release of the three hostages," he said. Asked about his earlier statement that sub-inspector Abhay Yadav had been killed, he said, "I made the statement to create fear in the minds of those handling the hostage situation." Without naming BMP havildar Lucas Tete, whose bullet-riddled body was found on Friday from the Kajra police station area in Lakhisarai district, Avinash said that the killing had taken place on Thursday night and the body thrown on the road. Avinash claimed that the execution was decided by the 'committee'. Asked whether the deadline for freeing the hostages had been extended, he said, it had already expired, "but we are still waiting for a positive response from the government (on the release of eight Maoists)." An intensified operation was underway for the rescue of sub-inspectors Rupesh Kumar and Abhay Yadav and BMP havildar Ehtesham Khan.