Balaghat/UNI: Two Maoist women - carrying bounties of Rs 14 lakh each - were neutralised and a hitherto-unspecified number of rebels injured by the Madhya Pradesh Police's Hawk Force during an encounter in the wee hours of Saturday.

The encounter took place within the Kadla forest in Garhi Police Station limits of this district bordering Left-wing extremism-affected Chhattisgarh.

ConfIrming the incident, SP Samir Saurabh said, "The ultras were identified as Suneeta and Sarita Khatika. The former served as 'Area Committee Member' in the Tada Dalam and was working for the Vistaar Dalam whereas the latter was a guard for Mocha ACM Kabir prior to becoming part of the Vistaar Dalam. A search is underway in the area.

"Two firearms, cartridges and items of daily use were appropriated."