Encounter between Maoists and security personnel in Jharkhand

MEDININAGAR: An encounter between security personnel and Maoists was going on in the bordering area of naxal-affected Palamau and Latehar districts of Jharkhand, a senior police officer said.

Palamau superintendent of police, Mayur Patel, told PTI that cross-firing from both sides was on during the encounter which began at around 6.00 am today.

The area where the encounter was on is under Panki police station bordering adjoining Latehar district.

Meanwhile, a report from Khunti district said three Maoists were arrested in a raid yesterday.

Acting on a tip-off that a Maoist squad was active near Sosoguti dam under Arki police station limit, a police team led by the Additional Superintendent of Police P R Mishra and Sub-Divisional Police Officer Deepak Sharma rushed to the spot and conducted the raid.

Three Maoists identified as Diwakar Patar alias Deo, Umakant Patar Munda alias Akash Munda and Md Afsar Alam alias Chotu were arrested while four others managed to escape, Superintendent of Police, Anish Gupta said.

An INSAF rifle, which was looted from CRPF during an encounter in Jorko jungle in 2008, with magazine, two country-made pistols and six live cartridges and others articles including naxal literature were seized from them.