Patna, Nov 11 (IANS) Maoists shot dead three people and seriously injured two in Bihar's Gaya district as they suspected them to be police informers, police Monday said.

A district police official said a group of armed Maoists attacked a vehicle near Aamkola village under Mohanpur police station in Gaya Sunday night and killed three people and injured two.

"Maoists targeted them as they suspected them to be police informers," the official said.

The injured were admitted to a government hospital in Gaya, about 100 km from here.

The incident created panic among villagers, who locked themselves in their houses since Sunday night.

Police have launched combing operations to nab the Maoists.

Gaya is considered a stronghold of Maoists.