Three women naxals were killed in a fierce encounter between Maoists and security forces under Gudri police station area in West Singhbhum on Saturday morning.

Those killed were in the age-group of 25 years and belonged to the squad of area commander Suresh Munda of the banned CPI-Maoist.

Forces have recovered three fire-arms from the three killed lady rebels along with huge quantity of ammunition and explosives from the scene of encounter.

The encounter took place at Chirung village in Gudri located in a hilly terrain bordering Khunti district from about 7 am and continued for an hour.

West Singhbhum superintendent of police, Indrajeet Mahatha said the encounter took place while they were carrying out an anti-insurgency operation at Gudri thana area having got a specific information.

"During the operation there were jawans of CRPF's 170 and 60 battalions posted in West Singhbhum and 94 battalion from the adjoining Khunti district beside the district police jawans.  The personnel rushed to the Chirung village by maintaining social distancing and encircled the village where about 25 rebels were holding meeting with the villagers.  But as the police and para-military forces reached, the rebels started firing at the troops.  After an initial exchange of fire from both the sides for about an hour, the naxals started backtracking and finally fled the scene," said Mahatha.

The SP, West Singhbhum, said after the rebels fled the scene they carried out a search operation and found the bullet-ridden bodies of three lady naxals.  Beside those bodies were lying three rifles.

"During the search,  we found over 500 rounds of bullets, arrow bombs, two IEDs, medicines, naxal literature from the scene, suggesting that the rebels belonging to Suresh Munda squad of the CPI-Maoist were at the Chirung village for motivating the villagers for joining the naxalism," Mahatha pointed out. 

In the last few days anti insurgency operation in the West Singhbhum has been intensified following intelligence reports that suggest rebels are camping in the pockets.

The administration has increased police patrolling on the bordering areas connecting to West Bengal and has also deployed adequate number of paramilitary personnel on areas potential to rebels attack.

Meanwhile intelligence sources  maintained that the naxals have once again started influencing the local residents to come to the fold of the naxalism," said a senior intelligence officer.  He said the rebels are targeting areas in Sonua, Goelkera and Porahat region of West Singhbhum.