Express News Service By

VISAKHAPATNAM: Three Maoists including a Dalam commander of Galikonda Area Committee were reportedly killed in an exchange of fire between the left-wing extremists and the APSP forces in the forests of Marripakala under Koyyuru police station limits in Visakhapatnam agency area on Wednesday evening.

The police are yet to ascertain the identity of the deceased extremists.

The police have confirmed that the exchange of fire took place around 6 pm when the police personnel went on a combing operation in Marripakala area.

The Maoists who confronted them, opened fire at the police forces who in turn gunned down three Maoists.

The police have recovered an AK-47 and other ammunition from the spot. It is suspected that some Maoists have escaped into the forests during the shootout and the police forces have been deployed in a large number for combing operations to track them down.

Efforts are being made to transport the bodies of the Maoists and also identify them.