Two Maoists killed in encounter

Two Maoists, including a woman, were today gunned down in an encounter with security forces in a dense forest of Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district.

The encounter took place at around 7:30 am in Muduvandi-Kawadgaon forest axis when a joint team of security forces was out on an anti-Maoist operation, Deputy Inspector General of Police (south Bastar Range) Sundarraj P told PTI.

The operation, involving composite forces of CRPF's elite unit Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) 204th battalion and District Reserve Guard (DRG), was launched last night in the interiors of Gangaloor.

While combing operations were underway, Maoists opened fire on security forces this morning. Immediately security forces took position and launched retaliatory attack that forced Maoists to flee from the spot, the DIG said.

During search, two Naxals clad in "uniform" were found dead at the spot. Besides, one .303 rifle, one 12 bore gun and one country-made pistol, were also recovered from there, the officer added.

Further details are awaited as the operation was still underway, he added.