Hyderabad, Dec 28 (IANS) A top Maoist leader and his wife were shot dead in a gun battle with the police in Andhra Pradesh, officials said Thursday.

The slain Maoists have been identified as Chandramouli alias Devanna, a central committee member of the Communist Party of India-Maoist, and Jyotakka, also a party member.

The incident took place in Pansapalli village, about 500 km from here, Wednesday night.