Hazaribagh (Jharkhand), Aug 19 : Two Maoists were killed in an encounter with police in Hazaribagh’s Batuka forests.

The incident occurred before the beginning of a 24-hour Jharkhand shutdown called by naxalites today.

"While one of the bodies of a Maoist was recovered, the other was taken away by the Maoists after the encounter late last night,” a police spokesperson said.

“Maoist zonal commander Krishna Yadav was leading his cadres in exchange of gunfire with security men during raids in the forests, ahead of the shutdown,” he added.

Police recovered a self-loading rifle, a .303 rifle, few ammunitions and a cash of Rs 1.71 lakh from the encounter spot. (ANI)