Kolkata, Aug 27 (IANS): Pro-Maoist leader Umakanta Mahato, a prime suspect in the Gyaneshwari Express sabotage case, was killed in a gun battle with joint security forces in West Bengal's West Midnapore district early Friday, police said.

"Umakanta Mahato was killed sometime early morning today (Friday) following an encounter in a forest area of Jhargram," West Bengal Director General of Police (DGP) Bhupinder Singh told IANS over phone.

Mahato was the leader of tribal body People's Committee against Police Atrocities (PCPA), which has been blamed for the sabotage.

The five-hour gun battle started at around 1.30 a.m. in Mohanpur forest near Lodhashuli.

A 9mm pistol and several rounds of ammunition have been recovered but Mahato's associates fled.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), probing the Gyaneshwari case, earlier announced a reward of Rs.1 lakh for information regarding Mahato.

He had been absconding since the May 28 train disaster, in which 148 people were killed after Maoist guerrillas allegedly sabotaged a portion of the track, causing derailment of the Mumbai-bound train.

Soon after, a freight train coming from the opposite direction rammed into the derailed coaches, causing the casualties.

Another prime suspect, Bapi Mahato, has already been arrested. The third prime accused, Asit Mahato, has so far eluded the police dragnet.