Rourkela, Nov. 12: A joint team of the CRPF, Special Operations Group and the district voluntary force have gunned down two Maoists and left several injured.

Acting on a tip-off, the security personnel launched the operation around 9.30am yesterday near the Asurkhol hill range within Chandiposh police station limits where the Maoists had been camping. The gunfight lasted for more than an hour.

The security forces also found arms and ammunition from the encounter spot. After the Maoists fled, the forces found four .303 rifles, more than 200 rounds of ammunition, three grenades, one SLR magazine and medicines. Bloodstains were also found on the spot, which indicated that the retreating rebels had suffered injuries.

Director general of police, K.B. Singh said that one of the Maoists killed during the encounter has been identified as Sangram, platoon commandant of Saranda sub-division in Jharkhand. "We have also seized four rifles, 284 rounds of live ammunition, four grandees and Maoist uniforms," said Singh. The other deceased has not yet been identified.

"The five-phase gram panchayat election in Jharkhand will start from November 22. Security forces have stepped up their operation to ensure smooth conduct of elections in the neighbouring state," said inspector general (western range) R.K. Sharma.

Police believe that area commander of Deogarh, Sambalpur and Sundargarh divisions of the CPI (Maoist), Anmol, was present at the spot but managed to escape.

On November 6, Rourkela police superintendent Anirudha Singh spoke about Maoist movement in the area. Weapons had earlier been seized from the Chandiposh police station area, which is near the spot where the encounter took place.

At present, around 5,000 security personnel are present in the area.