Three Maoists were shot dead by security forces in the extreme insurgency infested Sukma district of Bastar in Chhattisgarh on Tuesday.
The encounter took place after the security forces launched an operation to nab a Maoist Commander who was said to be in the area.
"The operation was launched jointly by District Reserve Group (DRG), CRPF's Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) and District Force under Gadiras Police Station limits," according to Sukma Superintendent of Police (SP) Indira Kalyan Elesela.
The exercise was carried out on the basis of a tip off about presence of Bhime, a Maoist commander of Badesatti lOS (local Organisation Squad) in the area.
"We received inputs that Bhime was camping along with 15 to 20 armed cadres near Bandem since last night. We mobilised our composite force towards the region to nab him," he said.
When the security forces reached the forests of Badesatti village , armed insurgents opened indiscriminate fire on them, triggering a gun fight between the two sides, the SP said.
"So far, bodies of three Maoists, besides tiffin bombs and other Naxal-related items have been found," he said.
It was not known if Bhime was present at the encounter spot.
Further details will be known once the security personnel return to their camp, Elesela said.