Maoists-police engage in gunbattle in Jharkhand

Latehar (Jharkhand): The para-military forces, which began anti-naxal operation, were fired upon by the left wing guerrillas of the CPI (Maoist) near Kumandih village of Latehar district, police said on Wednesday.

"The anti-naxal operation began on Monday. The Maoists opened fire on the personnel of the CRPF, Jharkhand Jaguar and the district police last night," Superintendent of Police Michael S Raj told reporters here. Stating that the security forces had also retaliated and the exchange of fire lasted for about an hour, he said a few shots were also fired around 11 am today. There was no casualty from any side, he said adding the security forces were also scourging the forests in the night as well. PTI