Bullets hit some Maoists during encounter: claim police

"The encounter began around 10 am and lasted till 3 pm. Blood stains were found on the Maoists side pointing towards casualties and Maoists taking them away," DIG (CRPF) B K Sharma told PTI.

Operation Octopus-II, a joint drive by the security personnel of Jharkhand and Chhatisgarh, began five days ago, he said.

Latehar Superintendent of Police, Kranti Kumar led the anti-Maoist drive near Latu village of the district, bordering Chhatisgarh and the state