Two Maoists killed, three security personnel injured in an encounter in Jharkhand

Two Maoists were killed and three paramilitary soldiers were injured in a gun battle in Jharkhand on Monday.

The paramilitary forces in Balam village in Jharkhand's Kharsava District clashed with the Maoists, who opened fire at them.

In retaliation, the Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (COBRA) fought back. A Maoist was also arrested post the encounter.

The three injured security personnel Shankar Linga, Sunil Kumar and Sibesh were immediately rushed to the hospital for treatment.

"During an encounter with Maoists, three soldiers were injured and two Maoists killed, that is all we know at present," said Deputy Superintendent of Police (Dy SP) Raj Kishor Prasad told the media on Monday.

Maoists have significantly increased their presence in tribal and rural regions in the states of Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal and Odisha as well as certain parts of Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh.

The government, which has termed the Maoists to be India's biggest internal security threat and an obstacle to growth, had earlier last year renewed the offer for peace talks with the ultras if they abjure violence.