RAIPUR: Two security personnel on Monday died and atleast 6 severelyinjured after a heavy exchange of fire that took place between the securityforces and the naxals in Chhattisgarh’s Sukma.

The fierce gunbattle that continued for five hours also left a Naxal dead.The encounter happened in Bheji police station limits.

The firing started at 11 am. The two killed security personnel have beenidentified as a Special Task Force (STF) personnel and the other one as aDistrict Reserve Group personnel (DRG).

“The encounter went on for around 5 hrs in Sukma’s Bheji. It started at 11am and concluded half an hour ago. The heavy firing took place from bothsides. One STF and one DRG soldiers were martyred. Six DRG soldiers havebeen injured”, DM Awasthi, Special DG, anti-Naxal operations told ANI.

Six security personnel were also injured in the ongoing encounter. Amanager of a road construction company was also killed by the naxals.