LOC17:46
14:46 GMT
NEW DELHI, Dec 14 (KUNA) -- Indian authorities on Thursday said that at least eight Maoist rebels were killed in a shootout between the rebels and security forces in Bhadradri Kothagudem district of south Indian state of Telanagana.
Quoting Telangana Director General of Police Mahendar Reddy, the Indo Asian News Agency said that eight Maoists were killed in the gunfight while no security personnel was injured.
The Maoists attacked a security force team near the Nellamadgu jungles close to the Maoist-affected Chhattisgarh state when the latter was on a routine patrol triggering the gunfight.
"After a long exchange of fire, the Maoists fled back into the jungles. After that, security forces searching the spot found eight bodies of the rebels as well as a large haul of arms and ammunition as well as articles of common use. Searches are on," Reddy was quoted as saying.
The Maoist rebellion is considered a major internal domestic threat to the country as majority of the states are affected by them and their presence in the states of Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Bihar and Maharashtra is very strong.
The banned group has been waging an armed struggle for decades against the government and its developmental projects in order to establish a communist society toppling the current system which they call as semi-feudal and semi-colonial. (end)
atk.mt