Gaya, Jan. 9: Security personnel on Saturday recovered the bodies of four Maoists they had gunned down in an encounter inside Bandh Goreya forests in Aurangabad district on Friday evening.

Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) director-general Prakash Mishra, who arrived at the encounter site by helicopter on Saturday, confirmed the recovery.

A huge quantity of arms and ammunition, including sophisticated weapons, detonators, improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and Naxalite literature, was also found.

Mishra said: "Though CoBRA and CRPF jawans are armed with sophisticated weapons, those involved in anti-Naxalite operations will be equipped with more sophisticated arms and ammunition. The jawans involved in

Friday's operation will be recommended for gallantry award too."

Aurangabad superintendent of police Babu Ram and Mishra on Saturday gifted mobile sets and cash rewards to the jawans.

Magadh range deputy inspector-general (DIG) of police Ratn Sanjay, who rushed to the spot from the divisional headquarters in Gaya, said the bodies of the four rebels were brought to Aurangabad Mufassil police station around 3.30pm on Saturday. Those killed have not been identified so far.

Sources said police will follow National Human Rights Commission norms for identification if someone comes forward to claim relationship with the deceased. Else, the bodies will be disposed of according to norms.

During the search after the encounter, police recovered an AK-47, two .303 rifles, a country-made rifle and a carbine apart from a huge quantity of detonators and three walkie talkies.

"Police will also verify the recovered documents and try to find out the identity of killed Maoists," the DIG said.

Based on intelligence inputs, security personnel, including CoBRA, CRPF and

the district armed police, led by Dhibra police station house officer conducted a

search operation in the forests on Friday.

"The Maoists fired at the security personnel, who retaliated in which four rebels were killed. One among the security personnel was also injured in the encounter and he is undergoing treatment at Anugrah Narayan Magadh Medical College and Hospital in Gaya," the DIG said.

Following the encounter, CoBRA, CRPF and DAP jawans cordoned off the area on Saturday.

Aurangabad superintendent of police Babu Ram is leading the operation. Magadh range DIG Ratn Sanjay, CRPF deputy commandant S.D. Tripathi, Aurangabad assistant superintendent of police (Naxal) Rajesh Bharti are also camping at the spot.

Additional reinforcements have been rushed to the spot from the Aurangabad district headquarters for combing operations. The injured CoBRA jawan, Nagendra Kumar, is stated to be out of danger after doctors extracted a bullet from his shoulder.

According to sources, one among the four Maoists killed is said to be area commander Abhijit Yadav though police are yet to confirm it.