Indian security forces continue operation against Maoists rebels

NEW DELHI, April 24 (KUNA) -- Indian security forces killed six more Maoists in an encounter in Jimalgatta of Gadchiroli district in Maharashtra in addition to recovering 15 more dead bodies of Maoist rebels from Indravati river taking the number of Maoists killed in the ongoing operation to 37.
Quoting a local police official, the Indo Asian News Agency said: "In the operation by C-60 squad of the in Kasanasur jungle area, 16 bodies of Maoists (nine men and seven women) were recovered on April 22.
"Due to heavy rain and paucity of manpower, search was stopped. Yesterday, an operation was launched to search for bodies in Indravati river and 15 more bodies were recovered," he added.
The security forces gunned down six more Maoist rebels in Jimalgatta area of Gadchiroli in the state as part of the current operation.
The operation against the Maoists was a result of "accurate and specific" intelligence, Maharashtra Director General of Police Satish Mathur said.
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. (end) atk.ibi