Kathmandu, Aug.15: Four Maoists were killed in two separate encounters Monday in Kalikot and Accham districts while a child was injured in a cross firing, police said Tuesday.

Police shot dead three Maoists  when a patrol was attacked near Badanku village in Kalikot by rebels while a four-year old child was injured, police said.

An insurgent was killed and another was injured in an exchange of gunfire in a forest in Accham district, police said.

Meanwhile, a dozen policemen Monday returned safely to district headquarters in Mangalsen, Accham, after being lost for almost 24 hours following clashes with Maoists while on patrol, police said.

Three were slightly injured, reports said. The insurgents opened fire on a group of 33 policemen  patrolling near Binayak village.

At least 1,400 persons have been killed or are missing in a four-year insurgency to establish a communist state in the Himalayan kingdom.