Pro-Maoist leader Umakanta Mahato, a prime suspect in the Gyaneshwari Express sabotage case, was killed in a gun battle with joint security forces in West Bengal's West Midnapore district early Friday, police said.

"Umakanta Mahato was killed sometime early morning today (Friday) following an encounter in a forest area of Jhargram," West Bengal Director General of Police (DGP) Bhupinder Singh said over phone.