At least four Maoist ultras were claimed to have sustained bullet injuries in an encounter with security personnel at Samarbagh under Harihargunj police station of Palamau district.
Following a tip off that some ultras sneaked into Jharkhand from adjoining Aurangabad district of Bihar, security personnel surrounded the village in the jungle late last night, Palamau Superintendent of Police Y S Ramesh and CRPF Commandant S K Linda said.
On seeing the securitymen -- personnel of the Special Armed Force, District Armed Force and one company of CRPF -- the CPI(Maoist) ultras fired on them.
The security personnel retaliated the fire and four Maoists sustained bullet injuries as blood stains were found on the spot following the encounter, which lasted for about half an hour, Ramesh and Linda told reporters.
Ramesh said security personnel, who have launched an anti-naxal drive "Operation Hit", have fired around 350 rounds and used high power bombs during the encounter.
The Maoists headed by sub-zonal commander Manohar Ganju managed to escape, he said.
Three rifles including a .303 gun looted from the police, 15 cartridges, half a dozen solar lamps, mobile chargers, uniform, SLR magazine, rice and dal, Rs 3,000 in cash were seized from the encounter spot, he said.
