Rebels targeted by Indian forces

Indian government troops scoured forests in the east of the country for Maoist rebels today and reported killing up to 20 of them.

Three security personnel were killed in gun battles with the rebels, known as the Naxalites.

The skirmishes follow Friday’s carefully coordinated rebel attacks on four police stations, a training academy and an armoury in Orissa state’s Nayagarh district, that killed 13 police officers, a village guard and a civilian.

“We have received reports of the elimination of 20 Maoists,” T.K. Mishra, home secretary of the Orissa state government state said. “We have also lost three security personnel.”

Mr Mishra added. “We are hopeful of completing the operation very soon, but we’ll continue the operation till we get full success.”