Vigilance has been stepped up in Tamil Nadu-Kerala border areas in Coimbatore and the Nilgiris districts, following a reported shoot-out between Kerala Police and Maoists in that State.

The exchange of fire between Maoists and Police was reported in Ambalappara forest area in Palakkad district last evening, after which the left extremists fled the scene, police said.

On information, the Coimbatore district police has stepped up intelligence and security in border areas like Anaikatty and Mankarai Check post, placing armed guards, as a precaution to prevent infiltration, they said.

Similarly, strict vigil is being kept at Mettupalayam, Sirumugai and nearby areas, and Pandalur, bordering the Nilgiris district near Kerala, police said.