Four persons, including three of a family, were shot dead by armed Maoists who virtually laid a siege on Ramban village in Bihar's Maoist-hit Sheohar district midnight, police sources said.

Over 200 of the left-wing extreminsts swooped down on the village at around 11:55 pm, sources said. They fired targeting four villagers, including three members of a family and a neighbour, killing them on the spot.

It was suspected that some villagers had earlier killed Maoist cadre Virendra Shah and the strike was to avenge his killing.

The Maoists left several leaflets on the spot claiming responsibility for the incident before fleeing.

An intensive combing operation has been launched in the area to apprehend the ultras.