Visakhapatnam: Six members of the banned CPI(Maoists) including three women were killed in a major exchange of fire between maoists and security forces at Koyyuru mandal agency area in the district on Wednesday.
One of the top Maoist leaders and DCM cadre leader, a native of Telangana, was among the killed in the exchange of fire that took place near Theegalametta village, which comes under Mampa police station limits, police said here.
According to police officials , men from the elite anti-naxal force, the Greyhounds and special parties who were conducting combing operations in the area were fired upon by the maoists. In retaliation, the security forces returned fire, which resulted in the deaths of six maoists.
No casualties were reported among the security forces.
The deceased Maoists were identified as Ranadev, Ashok, Lalitha, Paike and the Maoist top gun Sande Gangayya, a DCM cadre leader.
The exchange of fire started in the early hours and lasted around one hour, the officials said.
The police recovered several weapons including AK-47 and SLR guns from the encounter spot, the officials added.
