Three Maoists were gunned down by the security forces in insurgency-hit Sukma district of Chhattisgarh on Tuesday, police said.
A joint squad of Special Task Force (STF), Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA)-a specialized unit of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and District Reserve Group (DRG) while undertaking combing operations had an encounter with ultras in forest patches falling under limits of Polampalli police station during morning hours, said Sukma Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Santosh Singh.
According to him, security personnel were first targetted by insurgents, thereafter they retaliated. Unable to withstand the retaliatory action, rebels fled the spot.
While undertaking searches, security personnel recovered bodies of three Naxals, of which two were in uniform. Besides, two muzzle-loading guns were also recovered.
Initial investigation by police revealed the identity of slain rebels as Dudhi Bheema, Sodi Muya and Vetti lachchu of Polampalli region, said Singh.
In the wake of the incident, security forces have intensified combing operations in the region, he said.