Kalahandi: Two days after two contractors were gunned down by ultras in Lanjigarh area of Kalahandi district, a Maoist was shot dead in a police encounter in a forest near Kotbundel village under Lanjigarh block today.

Acting on a tip-off about the presence of six to seven ultras inside the forest, police intensified combing operation in the region. A Maoist, who is suspected to be involved in one of the two murder cases, was shot dead in encounter today, informed SP B Gangadhar. The cops also seized a rifle from his possession.

It is pertinent to mention here that two contractors were gunned down in Lanjigarh block by red rebels on Sunday. One Rajendra Sahu, a civil contractor, was shot dead by Maoists near a weekly market at Malipada village.The ultras called Sahu to a spot near the market and killed him suspecting him to be a police informer.

A few hours after, another contractor, Bhima Dora of Babupadar village was killed by ultras. His body was found near the village the next morning.