Three persons were shot dead by suspected Maoist activists at a village in Bihar's east Champaran district, the police said on Friday.

Heavily armed activists of the banned outfit descended on Pipra village under Darpa police station around midnight and shot dead three persons said to be farmers, deputy superintendent of police A K Singh said.

He said contingents from Raxaul and other neighbouring police stations have been rushed to the village and a combing operation has been launched.