"Two persons died on way to Apollo hospital in Ranchi. They suffered injuries in exchange of firing during intelligence-based operation against the Maoists," Director General of Police G S Rath told PTI.
Asked about reports that the casualty occurred in a mistaken cross-fire between two troops of the CRPF jawans engaged in the same combing operation against the Maoists, Rath said Deputy Inspector General of Police Sheetal Oraon was sent for spot verification to ascertain the truth of the reports.
"It is very difficult to say as the same weapons are used by the Maoists, the CRPF and the (state) police. Only a spot verification by the DIG will ascertain the circumstances (leading to the incident). However, we apprehend there was no landmine explosion," Rath added.
Earlier, Khunti Superintendent of Police M Tamilvanan said seven CRPF personnel were injured during a "fierce" gun battle with the Maoists and were admitted to the Apollo hospital with the condition of four of them being serious.
