Bhubaneswar, Sept. 19: Security forces today gunned down three Maoists during a combing operation at Bhejaguda forest in Mathili area of Malkangiri district.

One of the deceased, identified as Sunadhara, 35, was an area committee member of the Darbha Maoist division in Chhattisgarh and was carrying a reward of Rs 5 lakh on his head, police said.

Superintendent of police Mitrabhanu Mahapatra said a group of 10-15 Maoists opened fire at a group of District Voluntary Force (DVF) and Special Operation Group (SOG) personnel in Bhejaguda forest around 10 this morning.

"The police retaliated and exchanged fire with the Maoists, leading to the death of three rebels. While one of the deceased has been identified, we are trying to ascertain the identity of the other two," said Mahapatra. Other rebels, however, managed to escape.

The police have seized a rifle, a pistol, three walkie-talkies, 11 rounds of live ammunitions, sharp-edged weapons and Maoist literature from the spot. Mahapatra said combing and patrolling had been intensified in the area after the incident.

Sunadhara was allegedly involved in several cases of murder and extortion in the area and in the adjoining Darbha region of Chhattisgarh. He was also involved in the attack on a convoy of Congress leaders in Darbha valley in May 2013, the police said. The attack had led to the death of several Congress leaders.

Yesterday, around 380 Maoist supporters from six villages under Materu panchayat of the district had surrendered before the police.