Kolkata, Sep 10 - A Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) local committee leader was shot dead by suspected Maoist rebels Thursday evening in West Bengal's Bankura district, police said.

'Krishna Kundu, CPI-M's Bikrampur local committee secretary, was killed by a group of Maoists ultras,' a senior officer of Sarenga Police station told IANS over phone.

The incident took place at Chingra locality under Sarenga police station area when Kundu was returning to his home from a nearby market on his bicycle.

Police said the Maoists later escaped from the spot on two motorcycles.

'We've sent the police force to the spot to launch an extensive search operation in the area,' the officer said.