Jagdalpur (PTI): Six Naxalites killed in an encounter with security forces in Chhattisgarh's Narayanpur district two days back were dreaded cadres carrying a cumulative bounty of Rs 38 lakh, according to police.

The operation is so far the biggest attack by security forces on People's Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) company no. 6, which is considered a pillar of the attacking force of Naxalites, the police said on Saturday.

It has created an atmosphere of fear among Naxalites in east Bastar division, which is considered their strong formation, the police said.

The encounter took place near Gobel and Thulthuli villages under Orcha police station limits on Friday. While police earlier said seven Naxalites were killed, they later revised the toll to six, that included three women.

The deceased belonged to military company number 6 of the PLGA and east Bastar division formations of the proscribed Communist Party of India (Maoist), a police official said.

"The operation involving separate teams of security personnel was launched late night on June 6 on the border of Narayanpur, Kondagaon, Dantewada and Bastar districts based on inputs about the presence of Maoists of PLGA military company no. 6 and east Bastar division formations," Inspector General of Police (Bastar Range) Sundarraj P said at a press conference here on Saturday.

Personnel from the police's District Reserve Guard from four districts, 45th battalion of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and 95th battalion of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were involved in the operation, he said.

"At around 3 pm on Friday, Naxalites opened fire on security personnel in the forest near Bhatbeda-Battekal and Chhotetondebeda villages. The intermittent cross-firing between separate teams of security personnel and Naxalites lasted for a long time following which Naxalites escaped into the dense forest taking cover of a hill," the IG said.

Four of the six slain ultras were identified as Masiya alias Mesiya Mandavi (32), sniper team commander and platoon no. 2 section 'A' commander, Ramesh Korram (29), deputy commander, Sanni alias Sundari, party member, and Sajanti Poyam, who was a member of the PLGA company no. 6 under east Bastar division of Maoists, the IG said.

"These four carried a reward of Rs 8 lakh each on their heads. The remaining two were identified as Jailal Salaam, who was active as Bayanar area committee member and carried a reward of Rs 5 lakh on his head, and Janani alias Janni (28), carrying a bounty of Rs 1 lakh on his head," he said.