Three Maoists killed in police encounter

Three Maoists including two women were killed in an encounter with police on Guntur- Prakasam border in Andhra Pradesh which also led to recovery of weapons including an AK-47 assault rifle, police said.
According to reports reaching here, an exchange of fire took place between the ultras and police in a deep forest area near Pullalchervu mandal of Prakasam district, they said.
A senior police officer of Andhra Pradesh Police told PTI, a police team from Guntur (Rural) district carried out the operation.
"The cops retalilated after the Maoists fired on them resulting in death of three of them while one of them escaped with injuries," he said.

The deceased were identified as Nallamalla forest division Committee Member Jana Babu Rao alias Ashok, his wife Bharthi and another woman activist Vimala, the police officer said, adding all of them were underground and were involved in several offences.
Babu Rao was carrying Rs 5 lakh award on his head and was underground from the past 13 years, he said.

Bharti was carrying Rs 4 lakh award while Vimala Rs 3 lakh and both of them were underground from the last 8 years, he added.
All the accused were operating in the Nallamalla area.
The police also recovered weapons including an AK-47, one SLR, .303 rifle and a carbine from the scene.

"Searches are on to nab the injured Maoist. I am proceeding to the spot," the police officer added.