India, March 31 -- A suspected woman Maoist leader was killed in an encounter with security personnel in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada on Monday, an official said.

Police said that the encounter took place at around 9am in a forest along the border of Dantewada and Bijapur districts.

"A team of security personnel was out on an anti-Maoist operation when the encounter broke. We have recovered a body till now and more search is underway," said Dantewada superintendent of police Gaurav Rai.

The SP further said that an Insas rifle was also recovered from the spot.

According to officials aware of the development, the deceased woman has been identified as Renuka aka Banu, who had a reward of Rs.25 lakh. She was a state zonal committee member and...