Indian security forces kill 4 armed rebels in central state

 Indian security forces affiliated to the paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) reportedly killed four armed rebels "Naxals" in India's central Chhattisgarh state's Sukma district on Tuesday.

One INSAS rifle and two 303 rifles have been recovered from the spot where the clash between the security forces and the Naxals took place.

Deputy Insp. Gen. (Anti-Naxal Operations) P. Sundarraj said that the encounter took place around 6:00 a.m. local time in a forest in the Chintalnar police station area on Tuesday, reported the Press Trust of India (PTI).

An elite unit of the CRPF's Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) was cordoning off the forest area near Karkanguda village when a group of Naxals started firing on them. This led to a gun battle in which four Naxals were killed, said the report.

Chhattisgarh is one of the worst-hit states in India by the Naxals. Anti-Naxal operations have been intensified in the forests of the Bastar division of the state in view of the upcoming general elections, beginning on April 11.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)