Two Maoists gunned down in Andhra Pradesh

Two Maoist rebels were gunned down by the police in a clash with them in the forests of Andhra Pradesh's Khammam district.

Two Maoist rebels were gunned down by the police in a clash with them in the forests of Andhra Pradesh's Khammam district on Thursday.

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The two Maoists, belonging to the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist), were killed when the policemen fired back at them in the Burugavada forests in VR Puram mandal, about 250 kms from Hyderabad, the police said.

Khammam district police officials told reporters in Khammam town that the gun battle took place when a police party was conducting combing operations in the forests.

They said the two Maoists ignored the police warning to surrender and opened fire, forcing the policemen to retaliate.

There were no reports of any casualty among policemen, who recovered a rifle from the spot.

The Maoists have been receiving setbacks in their traditional stronghold with the police eliminating several top leaders and other armed cadres.

The Maoist violence in the state has claimed more than 6,000 lives during the last four decades.