Maoist guerrillas shot dead a panchayat head and his associate in Jamboni area of West Bengal's West Midnapore district, police said on Monday. Soumen Bhakat and his close aide Kamal Mahato, both members of the Jharkhand (Naveen) group, were abducted from their homes late Sunday.

Their bodies were found between Sirsa and Balidaha villages Monday. No one has been arrested, said an officer manning the state police control room.

"A large contingent from the Jamboni police station has reached the spot. Preliminary enquiry is being conducted. The reason for the killing is yet to be ascertained," the officer said.

Maoists are active in the state's western districts of West Midnapore, Bankura and Purulia.