Two Maoists killed in Kerala

Two Maoists were shot dead in a shootout with Kerala Thunderbolts, an elite commando force of the Kerala Police, on Thursday in a forest area near Nilambur in Malappuram district.

The incident occurred deep in the forests and more information from the police was awaited.

"Our force is present at the site but the police are conducting the operation. Initially, I was told that one person has been killed. But later they said two have been killed and another person injured," a police official said.

Sources said among the dead is top Maoist Kuppuswamy, on whose head the Government had announced a reward of Rs 25 lakh.

"Information is slow to arrive and we are awaiting confirmation if a woman is among the dead," he added.