Three persons were killed after being allegedly caught in a cross-fire during an exchange of fire between security forces and Maoists in a forest in Kalahandi district today, police said.
Two youths also sustained minor injuries in the incident which took place during a joint operation by SOG jawans and police in Jugsaipatna reserve forest, Kalahandi Superintendent of Police Brijesh Kumar Rai said.
Three crude country-made firearms were also recovered from the site near the bodies of the three persons, who were unfortunatly caught in the cross fire, the SP said.
Investigation into the incident was in progress and the antecedents of the deceased persons, who were apparently carrying the country-made guns, were also being examined, police said.
The two youths, who suffered minor injuries, were admitted to hospital at Bhawanipatna, they said.
The injured persons were identified as Arjun Majhi and Pichu Majhi.
Arjun said they belonged to Nisanguda village and had gone inside the reserve forest along with the three deceased persons in search of their missing goats when the incident took place.
