Indian security forces kill 15 Maoist rebels

At least 15 Maoists were killed yesterday in an encounter with Indian security forces in a forest in the central state of Chhattisgarh in one of the biggest operations against the Red ultras in the state's history, police said.

Acting on specific intelligence regarding a Maoist camp in a forest area in Maoist-hit Sukma district's Nurkatong Durma village near Konta and Golapalli area, a joint team of around 200 police was sent to the spot, a statement issued by Chhattisgarh police said.  

A gun battle broke out between the Maoists and the police team at around 6:30am in which 15 Maoists were killed, the statement said, adding all the bodies of the ultras were recovered along with 16 weapons, including rifles.

Two Maoists, including a woman, were arrested from the encounter site and the police team was conducting intensive search operations in nearby forests looking for possible more Maoists.

 "This was one of the biggest anti-Maoist operations in the history of Chhattisgarh where 15 Maoists were killed in one single incident," said the police statement.

A total of 86 Maoists were killed in Chhattisgarh so far this year, it added.

The rebels -- also known as Naxals -- say they are fighting for the rights of the indigenous tribal people, including the right to land, resources and jobs, reported AFP.