Four Naxalites, suspected to belong to the Pratighatana group, were killed in a police encounter in Warangal district in Andhra Pradesh on Saturday morning.

Warangal Superintendent of Police M S Ravindra told rediff.com that the incident occurred between 1045 and 1115 IST.

"It's the tendu [beedi] leaf collection season. During this period Naxalites summon the tendu leaf contractors for extorting money. Our police team had gone to verify this information," he said, adding that the Naxals opened fire on the police, who were travelling from Godishala village to Bollapalli.

"About 60 Naxalites opened fired and started advancing towards the police team. Therefore the police were forced to fire in self-defence," he said.

"The exchange of fire continued for sometime. Four Naxalites were killed on the spot, while the others managed to escape," the SP added.

The police recovered 14 weapons, 57 kitbags and a lot of ammunition from the spot.

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Three Naxalites killed in encounter