India, Nov. 19 -- Madhya Pradesh Hawk Force inspector Ashish Sharma was killed in an encounter with Maoists in Balaghat on Wednesday.

The 26-year-old inspector was reportedly shot by the Maoists during a joint operation by Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra forces in a forest in Balaghat.

"Information was received about Maoists hiding near Bor Talab on the border of the three states. Upon arrival, the police asked them to surrender but they started firing. The force also retaliated. In the gunfight, inspector Ashish Sharma, who was leading the three-person team, was shot. He was rushed to the hospital in an injured condition, where doctors declared him dead," anti-naxal operations deputy director general of police Pankaj Sriva...