Security forces on Friday intensified operations to rescue the three policemen kidnapped by the Maoists even as a body was found in a jungle, which police said was not that of sub-inspector Abhay Yadav, whom the Naxals had claimed to have executed. The deadline set by the Maoists for killing the other three hostages will expire at 10 am.

"Combined force of Cobra Battalion of CRPF, BMP, STF and SAP of Bihar police intensified anti-Maoists operations for rescuing the policemen kidnapped by the Maoists during Sunday's encounter in Lakhisarai district," Inspector General (Operations), Mr K.S. Dwivedi, overseeing the anti-Naxal operations, told PTI.

BSF helicopters carrying Cobra battalion personnel hovered over the hills in hunt for the Naxalites for ensuring safe release of the hostages, Mr Dwivedi said.

Intense search operations continued in the hilly and forest areas in Dharhara, Kajra and several other places in Bihar's Munger, Jamui and Lakhisarai districts, he said.

Mr Dwivedi said the police have not yet found the body of Abhay Yadav. Maoists claimed to have thrown his body in the forests under Kajra police station in Lakhisarai district.

When contacted, ADG (Headquarters) Mr P.K. Thakur, said they had received information about a body lying in Simra Tari Kodasi forest under Kajra police station "but it was found later that it was not that of Abhay Yadav". But a leaflet was pasted on the body threatening that the other hostages would meet a similar fate.