Police officer, Maoist killed in encounter in West Bengal

Kolkata, Feb 25 (ANI): A police officer and a Maoist were killed and two others injured in a gunfight between the security forces and the ultras at Sarenga in West Bengal's Bankura district today.

According to sources, a group of armed Maoists shot at and injured local CPI-M leader Tarashankar Patra late last night. On getting the information, police and joint forces rushed to the spot.

Another team of joint forces from Lalgarh came and a gunbattle with the security forces ensued.

Inspector-in-charge of Sarenga police station Rabi Lochan Mitra and a Maoist cadre Dule were killed in the encounter.

The gunfight comes even as Maoist leader Koteswar Rao alias Kishanji had on Monday offered a 72-day ceasefire from February 25 to May 7. (ANI)