Khunti (Jharkhand), Apr 11 : Five Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were killed in an encounter with the naxals here.

The incident took place hours before Congress President Sonia Gandhi held a poll rally in the district.

According to sources, five personnel were killed while three others injured during the four-hour encounter.

The CRPF personnel conducted a search operation following inputs of naxal presence in the area. They came under heavy gunfire as soon as they entered the forests.

The naxals also managed to take away an AK-47 and an INSAS rifle of the CRPF personnel. (ANI)