One Maoist killed, two arrested in Bihar gunfights

One Maoist guerrilla was killed and two others arrested on Sunday in separate encounters in Bihar's East Champaran and Rohtas districts respectively.

"The security forces have shot dead one Maoist in Darmaha village of Kesharia in East Champaran district this evening and the body was recovered," director general of police (DGP) Neelmani said in Patna.

He also claimed that two other Maoists were also killed in the encounter and their bodies were yet to be found.

The encounter between security forces and Maoists has been continuing, he said, adding that the jawans of CRPF, SAP and STF have encircled the hide out of the Maoists in the village, Neelmani said.

Superintendent of police (SP) of East Champaran Ganesh Kumar was leading the security forces in the operation against Maoists that has been going on for four hours, he said.

Meanwhile, two Maoists were arrested from Kakudih locality in Kaimur hills in Rohtas district after a three-hour-long encounter with another group of ultras, superintendent of police (SP) Manu Maharaj said, adding that arrested duo were identified as Ranjeet Ram and Baleshwar Thakur.

The interrogation of the duo was going on, he said.

The security forces and Maoists were locked in a fierce encounter during which over 500 rounds of ammunition were fired from both sides, he said.