Nagpur, Mar 3 (UNI) At least three naxalites were today injured seriously after an encounter with the police in the jungles of Gadchiroli district in Maharashtra.

The police also defused a mine and seized a large quantity of material belonging to the outlaws from the spot after the encounter.

Police said a group of suspected naxalites, hiding in the forest near village Kolsepalli in Aheri tehsil of the district, allegedly opened fire on a patrol party on a routine sortie this morning. The police party retaliated, and the exchange of fire continued for about 15 minutes. The naxalites then fled into the jungle after the police gained an upper hand.

The blood marks found in the area led the police to believe that two to three naxalites sustained serious injuries in the encounter, a police release said, adding, none of the policemen were injured.

The police later defused and seized a claymore mine that they found tied to a tree near the encounter spot. They also seized two live grenades, two fuses, two detonators, a camera, three bundles of wire, empty cases of rifles and pistol, bedding, food, books, plastic cans and bags from the area, the release said and added that additional force has been deployed in the area.

UNI