Gunfight between Maoists, police; one arrested

RANCHI - A Maoist guerrilla was arrested following a gun battle between police and a group of 35-40 rebels in Jharkhand’s Giridih district Saturday.

Acting on a tip-off that 35 to 40 Maoist rebels were present in Dibra village, police surrounded the area and opened fire at the guerrillas, who retaliated, a police officer told IANS from Giridih, around 180 km from Ranchi.

A gunfight ensued, which lasted for two-and-a-half hours, he said, adding that all but one of the rebels managed to escape.

According to the police official, a rebel, who sustained bullet injuries, was arrested. Police seized four rifles, one carbine and live cartridges from the spot.