Lucknow, Sep 1 - A Maoist leader wanted for killing policemen and exploding landmines in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh has been arrested in the forests of Uttar Pradesh's Sonbhadra district, police said Tuesday.

Phaggu Kharwar was caught Monday evening after a gun fight in the dense Darma forests. Four of his aides escaped, district police chief Pritendra Singh told reporters.

Sonbhadra is about 250 km from Lucknow.

For many years, Kharwar headed a gang of Maoists in various districts of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, Singh added. A home-made carbine and cartridges were recovered from him.

Kharwar is accused of killing of police personnel and detonating landmines in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. The police are hunting for the four Maoists who escaped.