Three suspected Maoists, including a woman, were killed on Monday near Attapady in Palakkad district during combing operations, police said.
A top police official told PTI that personnel of the Thunderbolt squad retaliated when shots were fired at them.
“The patrolling team was combing the deep forest area in Palakkad district. It was then the Maoists fired at them.
As per preliminary reports, three including a woman were killed in the operation,” the official said.
A bomb disposal squad and top police officials have rushed to the spot, the source said. The special team was combing the area after a
tip about Maoist presence in the area. Locals said
they heard multiple gunshots from the forest. However, Congress MP from Palakkad said the Chief Minister should explain the timing of the incident and what provoked the encounter.