Five Maoists, including two commanders carrying rewards of Rs 5 lakh each on their heads, were killed in an encounter with security forces in Latehar district today, officials said.

The over-an-hour-long encounter with the Maoists began around 7.15 am in the forest area between Bhadgaon and Kedu villages under Heranj police station during a search operation by the Central Reserve Police Force, Jharkhand Jaguar and the district police, according to a police press release.

Jharkhand Jaguar is an elite anti-Naxal task force of the state police.        Located around 120 km from state capital Ranchi, Latehar has been a hotbed of Naxal activities.

The two self-styled sub-zonal commanders carrying rewards of Rs 5 lakh each on their heads were identified as Shivlal Yadav and Shravan Yadav, it said.

During the search operation, the police recovered three AK 47 rifles, one INSAS rifle and one .303 rifle and bullets from the place.

The release said that Jharkhand Police and para-military forces were committed to root out Naxalites.

During the anti-Naxal campaign this year, 17 encounters have taken place in which 16 Naxalites have been killed.

Last year, 47 Naxalites surrendered under the state government's surrender policy, 12 Naxalites were killed in encounters, and 608 ultras were arrested, the release said.  -- PTI