Police claimed to have killed "five or six" naxalites, including a deputy commander, in an encounter in Gadchiroli district and recovered from their possession arms, ammunition and naxal literature.

The encounter took place in the deep jungle on the Maharashtra-Chhattisgarh border, about 10 km from village Kanoli under sub-post Pendhari of the district.

Acting on a tip-off, police had deployed an ambush party in the jungle, in which Superintendent of Police Shirish Jain took part.

Naxalites triggered a landmine blast, but the police party was away from the spot when it occurred. Only one policeman sustained minor injuries in the blast, police said adding, their was exchange of fire between naxals and the force in which five or six naxalites were killed.

The bodies of three naxals were found, while five or six other naxalites are understood to have sustained serious injuries, police said.

Naxalites escaped into the jungle after exchange of fire, police said.

Police recovered a brand new 8 mm rifle, two 12 bore rifles, a large quantity of explosives, detonators, wires and naxalite literature from the spot.

Search and combing operation was on, police added.