Police officer, Maoist killed in Bengal encounter

A police officer and a Maoist were killed and two others injured in a gunfight between the security forces and the ultras at Sarenga in Bankura district, the police said on Thursday.

A group of armed Maoists shot at and injured local Communist Party of India - Maoist leader Tarashankar Patra late on Wednesday night. On getting the information, police and joint forces rushed to the spot, and a gun-battle ensued. Inspector-in-charge of Sarenga police station Rabi Lochan Mitra and a Maoist cadre Dule were killed in the encounter, said Superintendent of Police Vishal Garg.

Another Maoist named Mithun was injured in the gunfight, Garg said. Patra has been admitted to the Bankura Sammilani Medical College and Mithun has been taken to Sarenga hospital, said the police.