At least six Naxals, including three women, were killed on Wednesday afternoon during an exchange of fire with security forces in Matempara and Gondpalli forests of Chhattisgarh, said police.
Dantewada Superintendent of Police Kamlocha Kashyap told ANI, "On a specific input, we were informed about the presence of Naxals in the jungles of Matempara and Gondpalli villages. A joint team of Dantewada District Reserve Guards (DRG), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Special Task Force (STF) and Sukma DRG moved to the target area for the operation late last night."
"Our team cordoned off the specific area. Sensing the presence of police, Maoists opened indiscriminate fire at the police team. The policemen retaliated and after half an hour of gun battle Naxals fled away," Kashyap added.
Police said their team searched the entire area and recovered a total of 6 bodies - three each of males and females.
"One 303, one 315 and three 12 bore double barrel rifles and other materials were also recovered," he added.