Kolkata:
At least 3 naxals were killed in an encounter near Kalaboni jungle in West Bengal's West Midnapore district on Sunday. One paramilitary jawan was also killed in the encounter.
However, the bodies of the naxals have still not been recovered and according to reports the encounter is still on.
Following a tip-off that a Maoist squad was hiding in Ghrito Kham area near Kalaboni jungle the joint forces closed the area and launched an operation last night, Superintendent of Police, Jhargram, Praveen Tripathy said.
As the forces, comprising Specially Trained Armed Company (STRACO) jawans, moved towards the area this morning a fierce gunbattle broke out between them and the ultras leading to the death of jawan, Md Isahurul Islam (27) and injury to three-four jawans, Tripathy said.
The STRACO force is deployed in the Maoist-affected belt of West Midnapore close to Lalgarh.
The encounter was still going on, he said.
The slain jawan Islam hailed from Manikchak in Malda district.
The encounter took place barely 10 days after the killing of eight Maoists, including three women, in an encounter when security personnel raided a Naxalite hideout in Ranja forest under Salboni block on June 16.