An exchange of fire between Maoists and Greyhounds policemen took place in the forest near Markaguda village in Tiryani mandal of Adilabad district on Sunday at about 9 a.m.
Three extremists, including the Adilabad Divisional Committee secretary, Bandi Prakash are reported to have escaped. This is the second exchange of fire this year in the district after July 31 incident in Kasipet mandal.
According to Bellampalli Additional Superintendent of Police Bhaskar Bhushan, a Greyhounds party combing the area spotted the three naxalites apparently belonging to the Adilabad Area Committee. The policemen came under fire when they tried to get closer to the spot.
The naxalites are reported to have fired three to four rounds before making good their escape in the forests. The police personnel were in pursuit of the extremists, more of whom could be hiding in the forests.
Mr. Bhushan said, the three could have tried to escape into Maharashtra through the inter-State border in Kerameri area which is about 25 km from where the spot where the exchange of fire took place.
The naxalites are evidently holed up inside the forests having been surrounded by the policemen since the last few months.
Police has recovered four medicine kits.