Four Maoists killed in Jharkhand

Ranchi : Four Maoist guerrillas, including two women, were killed in a gun battle with security forces in Jharkhand’s Palamu district on Monday, police said.

The gun fight figuring some 12 members of the banned Maoist organisation, CPI-Maoist, took place early in the day at Marunga hill after the militants discovered the presence of security personnel in the area.

Police along with the Central Reserve Police Force have launched a search operation in the area, following the gun battle that lasted for more than two hours.

The remaining Maoists have escaped, the police said, adding that they have recovered the bodies of four militants along with some weapons, including two SLRs.

The killed Maoists include Bimal Yadav, who was carrying a reward of Rs 5 lakh.

Maoist guerrillas are active in 18 of the 24 districts in the state.

IANS