<p>The gun battle began in Mahasamund district close to Orissa state border after a large contingent of state police force encircled Maoist guerrillas. The gunfight continued for around four hours.<br /><br />This is for the first time that the police and Maoists fought in the district, so far untouched by the rebel group. "It's a great achievement. The Maoists have been striving to make inroads in Mahasamund district. We have also recovered arms," Vishwa Ranjan, director general of police (DGP), told IANS.<br /><br />Maoists Friday killed three troopers of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) in Rajnandgaon district triggering a landmine blast. Maoists have presence in 13 of the state's total 18 districts with considerable base in seven districts.</p>
<p>The gun battle began in Mahasamund district close to Orissa state border after a large contingent of state police force encircled Maoist guerrillas. The gunfight continued for around four hours.<br /><br />This is for the first time that the police and Maoists fought in the district, so far untouched by the rebel group. "It's a great achievement. The Maoists have been striving to make inroads in Mahasamund district. We have also recovered arms," Vishwa Ranjan, director general of police (DGP), told IANS.<br /><br />Maoists Friday killed three troopers of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) in Rajnandgaon district triggering a landmine blast. Maoists have presence in 13 of the state's total 18 districts with considerable base in seven districts.</p>