Maoists and police trade gunfire in a remote area of Kerala

A five-member gang of Maoists today fired at a police team at Kadukumanna in Agali, a remote tribal area in Palakkad district, triggering a gunbattle.

None of the policemen was injured in the attack which took place in the afternoon, police said.

The encounter took place this afternoon when Thunderbolt, a special commando wing under Kerala police, along with another team of police personnel, were conducting combing operations, Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala told PTI.

There were at least 30 police personnel when the encounter took place, police said.

Chennithala said the government viewed the incident 'very seriously'.

"Police will continue with combing operations in the area," he said.