Three Maoists killed in Jharkhand encounter

Three members belonging to the banned organisation CPI (Maoist) were killed by the security personnel in an encounter which broke out in the forested area near Chirungreda village in Jharkhand's West Singhbhum district.

Chaibasa:Three Maoists were killed in an encounter with the security forces in Jharkhand's West Singhbhum district on Saturday, a senior police officer said here.

Acting on a tip-off that members of the banned CPI (Maoist) had gathered in the forest near Chirungreda village, a joint team of the CRPF and district police force rushed to the area, Superintendent of Police Indrajeet Mahata said.

The Maoists opened fire on the security forces. In the retaliatory action by the security forces, three Maoists were killed, the SP said, adding the security personnel also seized arms and ammunition from the spot.

Earlier in March, 17 security personnel were martyred and 15 policemen were injuref in a fierce encounter with Naxals in Chhattisgarh's insurgency-hit Sukma district.

Read:17 cops martyred; 15 injured in Sukma Naxal encounter

Personnel of the police's District Reserve Guard (DRG), Special Task Force and CoBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action) had launched the operation from Chintagufa, Burkapal and Timelwada camps based on information about the presence of ultras near Elmagunda.

"Based on ground inputs, it is believed at least four to five Naxals might have been killed," an official had said.

(With inputs from PTI)