Ranchi, Aug. 26: The police recovered three bodies from Edalhatu village in Murhu police station area of Khunti district this morning. All three are suspected to have been killed by People’s Liberation Front of India rebels.

While the bodies of Sanjay Purti (22) and Etwari Oriya (17) were found near Gotuwa forest, the body of an unidentified youth was found about a kilometre away.

While the police refused to comment on whether the deceased were associated with CPI (Maoist) or other rebel outfits operating in the area, Khunti DSP and Murhu police station officer-in-charge admitted that preliminary investigations suggested PLFI involvement in the killings.

“It is too early to spell out anything. But, we firmly believe that PLFI is behind these killings. The case is being investigated,” said officer-in-charge Birsa Gari.

Khunti has been in focus for such killings. On August 17, the police recovered four bodies from Khutunga forest.