The police said the exchange of fire took place after Maoists blasted a police vehicle during a weekly market in R.V. Nagar village.
Three policemen were injured in the firing. Three tribals also suffered injuries. The injured were admitted to Chintapalli Area Hospital.
The blasting of police vehicle and the subsequent firing sent panic among villagers and traders in the weekly market and they hurriedly wound up their trading activity.
Maoists managed to escape into the forests. Additional forces were rushed to the area to launch search operations.
The incident has come after a long lull in the Maoist activities in the state. The police and elite anti-Maoist force Greyhounds have successfully controlled the Leftwing violence in the state by eliminating several top Maoist leaders during the last five years.
