Security forces and suspected Maoists had a pitched encounter near Gurdag village in Latehar district on Saturday morning. The battle continued for an around an hour. The police claimed having gunned down four Maoists during encounter. Three rifles, 33 cartridges, Rs 2,500 and some other materials were recovered from the encounter. The police had acted following a tip-off that a large number of Maoists had assembled at the village to plan a subversive operation.