Four Maoists, including three women, were killed on Wednesday (August 27)  following an intense encounter with security forces that lasted nearly eight hours in the dense Koparshi forest area along the Gadchiroli–Narayanpur border.

According to the police, intelligence inputs had indicated the movement of Gatta Dalam, Company No. 10, and other Maoist formations of the Gadchiroli Division in the forested region on August 25, The Indian Express reported.

Acting on the information, 19 C-60 commando units of the Maharashtra Police, along with two Quick Action Teams (QATs) of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), launched a search operation under the supervision of Additional Superintendent of Police (Operations) M. Ramesh.

Police officials told the paper that despite heavy rains in the Bhamragad area over the past two days, security forces managed to reach the location early Wednesday.

During the combing operation, the personnel came under indiscriminate fire from Maoists, which led to retaliatory action.

The exchange of fire continued intermittently for almost eight hours, ultimately resulting in the deaths of the four Maoists. The police confirmed that four weapons were recovered from the site, including an SLR rifle, two INSAS rifles, and a .303 rifle.

Search operations in the forest are still underway to track down other Maoists who are believed to be in the area. Officials said further details would be shared once the operation concludes.