In Chhattisgarh, the number of Maoists killed in an encounter with security forces in Bijapur district has risen to four. Among the deceased is a woman Maoist. Security forces have also recovered two rifles, including an AK-47, from the encounter site. Bijapur Superintendent of Police, Dr. Jitendra Yadav, said that a joint team of the District Reserve Guard, COBRA Battalion and Special Task Force launched a search operation after receiving intelligence inputs about the presence of Maoists in the forested and hilly areas of the north-western part of the district. Intermittent firing between the security forces and the Maoists had been continuing since this morning. By noon, the bodies of two Maoists were recovered from the spot, followed by the recovery of two more bodies later. With this, four Maoists have so far been killed in the encounter.