A woman Maoist ultra was today killed in a fierce gunfight with security personnel in Sukma district in southern Chhattisgarh, police said.
"An encounter between Maoists and a joint team of Central Reserve Police Force and district police took place in the evening in the dense forests that fall under the Bhejji police station area," said Sukma Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP), SR Bhagat.
The security personnel came under fire from Maoists during combing operations in the area, which lies at a distance of over 450km from state capital Raipur, the ASP said.
The rebels, among whom were several women, opened fire on the security team near Birabhatti village, inviting retaliatory firing.
The exchange lasted an hour after which the ultras fled into the forest, leaving behind their dead comrade who had been killed in the firing.
The identity of the slain Maoist is yet to be ascertained, the ASP said.
A .303 rifle, a few live rounds and other items have been recovered from the spot, police added.
