The grenades, lobbed by hand and fired through launchers, were aimed at a possible Maoist hideout some 1,500 metres away after security personnel opened the attack yesterday.
Director General of Police Rajeev Kumar was on the spot as the attack unfolded, police sources said. But there was no firing from the Maoists, who are known to disperse after guerrilla-style attacks, sources added.
Kumar, who had yesterday led the police party from the southern side of the forest, came back in the evening and announced a Rs 2 lakh cash price for 180 police personnel who courageously took part in operations against Maoists on difficult terrain.
Personnel from Jharkhand Armed Police, Jharkhand Jaguars and Latehar district police were involved in the operation in question.
Latehar is one of the 20 naxal-hit districts out of a total 24 districts in the state.