Gadchiroli (Maharashtra), Feb 17 (IANS): A Maoist was killed in a fierce gun battle on Monday in the Fodevada jungles of the district near Abujmad on the Maharashtra-Chhattisgarh border, an official said.

According to an official spokesperson, a joint police-C-60 commandos team, led by Additional Superintendent of Police Ajay Kumar Bansal, was carrying out an anti-Maoist operation when a large number of hiding Maoist rebels opened indiscriminate fire at them with AK-47s and LMGs.

The security forces team retaliated and in the exchange of fire, at least one Maoist was killed.

A bullet pierced through the backpack of a police personnel, but he continued fighting.

The official said that the security operation concerned an anti-national plan being finalised by Maoist Central Committee Member Sonu alias Bhupati in his forest hideout which the police attacked to flush them out.

After the intense firing on both sides, the Maoists stopped firing, picked up the body of their dead comrade and fled into the forest, where now combing operations are currently underway, said the official.