India, Jan. 1 -- A Maoist zonal commander carrying a reward of Rs.50,000 was killed in an encounter with the Bihar Special Task Force (STF) and Begusarai police late on Wednesday, officials said.

Additional director general (operations) Kundan Krishnan confirmed the incident and said an INSAS rifle, a carbine, a 7.65 bore pistol and 27 live cartridges of different calibres were recovered from the spot.

"More than 16 cases of murder, offences under the Explosives Act and the Arms Act have been registered against Dayanand in Begusarai, Khagaria and Muzaffarpur districts," Krishnan said.

The encounter took place in Nonpur village under the Teghra police station limits of Begusarai district. According to police sources, the Maoist, identif...