Two CRPF personnel were injured in an encounter with Maoists at the Tutijharna jungle situated in the foothills of Luggu under Gomia Block on Wednesday night, police said on Thursday.

“The incident occurred late in night when jawans of CRPF, SAT, Jharkhand Jaguar and district police were jointly conducting an anti-naxal search operation in the jungle. As the security personnel reached Tutijharna, Maoists opened fire on them. We are trying to nab them,” Bokaro SP Chandan Kumar Jha said.

More than a hundred rounds of bullets were exchanged between two parties, police said.

The injured CRPF jawans are in the rank of Hawaldars in 154 battalion. Constable Satyendra Singh sustained major bullet injuries in his stomach and in a critical condition at a Ranchi hospital. Another personnel, Vishnu, sustained minor injuries as bullets brushed past his chest. Both of them are undergoing treatment.

The police have recovered weapons and other items used by the Maoists from the spot, who fled the site after facing backfires.

“Massive combing operation has been launched in the forest cover. Security personnel have recovered a weapon, several live cartridges and other items used by naxals at the encounter site,” Jha added.

They have also found a tent, where the Maoists were resting before the CRPF personnel found them.

The tent of the Maoists found by police at the Tutijharna jungle in Bokaro on Thursday. Telegraph Picture

Few naxals have also got injured in the firing, sources said. However, the police have not confirmed anything yet, as it is difficult to assess loss on their part at a point when the police are still behind them.

The squad that engaged in the gun battle is suspected to be that of Birsen, who has movements in jungles of Jhumra. Sources said Birsen holds the post of Regional Committee Member of CPI (Maoist).

Jha along with CRPF officials have reached the spot and are monitoring the combing operation in the jungle. Paramilitary forces are being reinforced in the area.