Two Central Reserve Police Force jawans and one Maoist Communist Centre miltant were killed and four injured during a 17-hour-long encounter with the banned outfit near Madhuban forest, adjoining Parasnath Pahar, about 31 km from Giridh in JharKhand.

The gun battle between the banned MCC and the CRPF began on Friday morning and stopped at midnight, following heavy rains.

Soon after, the MCC ultras triggered a bomb explosion at Peertand police station, Deputy Commissioner Virender Ram said, adding that two ultras were nabbed during the firing.

He also informed that several posters of the banned outfit were found near Dengapad area, 15 km from here.

Superintendent of Police M Meena was leading the forces while the Hazaribagh Superintendent of Police also rushed to the spot with reinforcements.