8 Maoists killed in gunbattle on Telangana-Chhattisgarh border; weapons recovered

At least eight Maoists were killed in a gunbattle with police near the border of Telangana's Khammam district and neighbouring Chhattisgarh state in the early hours on Tuesday, police said.

The exchange of fire took place between a team of Greyhounds -- Telangana's anti-Naxal force -- and the rebels in a forest area bordering Chhattisgarh, a senior Intelligence official from Telangana Police told PTI.

Telangana Maoist party Secretary Hari Bhushan and Divisional Commander Lachhanna were also neutralised in the encounter. An AK 47, two SLR and three 303 rifles were recovered from Putapadu near Cherla, reported ANI.

Bodies have been recovered and the identification process is on, he said.

Eight weapons have been recovered from the site, he said.

Combing operation is on in the forest area, he added.