Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 24 Two maoists were shot dead in a shootout with Kerala Thunderbolts, an elite commando force of the Kerala Police, on Thursday in a forest area near Nilambur in Malappuram district, an official said.

Speaking to IANS, Chief of the Forests S.C. Joshi said the incident occurred deep in the forests and more information from the police was awaited.

"Our force is present at the site but the police are conducting the operation. Initially, I was told that one person has been killed. But later they said two have been killed and another person injured," said Joshi.

"Information is slow to arrive and we are awaiting confirmation if a woman is among the dead," he added.