Koraput: Five Maoists, including three women were killed during an exchange of fire with police personnel in Padua police station area of Koraput district near the border of neighbouring Andhra Pradesh today.

The Special Operation Group (SOG) personnel also seized a huge cache of weapons, including three SLR and one INSAS rifles from the spot, informed ADG (Operation) RP Koche.

Acting on a tip-off about the hideout of around 15 Maoists in Kituakanti forest under Hatibari Panchayat of Nandapur block, SOG Jawans today launched a combing operation in the locality. Five ultras, including three women were gunned down in the encounter, said Koraput SP KV Singh.

The combing operation was underway in the area till last reports came in.