Two Maoists killed in fierce Ayodhya hills encounter

DSP Rajesh Jadav said bodies of two Maoists were found after a 12-hour encounter at Bamni jungle in the hills. "We have also recovered two rifles from them and are trying to verify if these were looted from the police. We will continue our operation," Jadav said.

Unconfirmed reports, however, said four extremists were killed in the encounter and three taken into custody. IGP (western range) Zulfiqar Hasan refused to divulge anything about the encounter except that it started when the forces encircled the forests during a combing operation, forcing the Maoists to open fire.

Four cowherds, suspected to be abducted by some men in olive green uniform last evening from Bhuda village in Arsa area, returned after 24 hours. They said an armed group of 20 uniformed people wanted directions to the forest route last evening, but left them at a nearby village.

The police has not identified the abductors. A Jhargram report quoting the police said a PCPA leader was arrested and several explosives were seized today after an operation by joint forces in the Maoist-affected West Midnapore district.

Following a tip-off, the security forces launched an attack at Purnapani. After a brief exchange of fire, they nabbed Anadi Bhuyian, a member of the Maoists-backed PCPA who was wanted in six cases.

Some detonators, 26 gelatine sticks and two mines were seized during the operation, the police said. 24 villagers were also detained by the police.