India, April 9 -- The Special Task Force of Bihar late on Tuesday gunned down a Maoist area commander, carrying a reward of Rs.1 lakh, in Banka district during a combing operation in the forest areas near the Jharkhand border. There were no reports of any casualty or injury for the STF personnel.

The exchange of fire took place when a team of the STF and Banka police was out on an anti-Maoists operation. The body of a Maoist in 'uniform' and a carbine were recovered from the spot, around 250 km southeast of Patna.

The Maoist, identified as Ramesh Tuddu alias Tetua (45), was hiding in the forest area with his close associate, the forces said.

As soon as a team of STF and Banka police personnel entered the forest area, the Maoists opened...