India, May 11 -- The Chhattisgarh police on Saturday said that the security forces fought for about 12 hours in the jungles of Pedia in Bijapur district during Friday's fierce encounter in which 12 Maoists were killed. Police said that during the operation some Maoists changed into civilian clothes to pose as villagers to mislead the police after the first exchange of fire at around 6am. Police have also identified all 12 Maoists who were gunned down by security personnel and claimed that they were carrying a cumulative reward of Rs.31 lakh on their heads.

Bijapur superintendent of police (SP) Jitendra Kumar Yadav told media persons on Saturday that Budhu Oyam and Kallu Punem, both members of military company no. 2, were carrying a rewar...