Thirteen Maoists killed in Chhattisgarh

RAIPUR: At least 13 Maoist rebels were killed in gunbattles with security forces in Chhattisgarh.

The clashes took place on Thursday in two remote districts. Paramilitary troops backed by police raided a village in Dantewada district, 520 km south of Raipur, and shot dead 10 rebels in a three-hour gunbattle, Home Minister Ramvichar Netam said late on Thursday. 

Five rebels were arrested, he added. In a separate clash, 420 km northeast of Raipur, police killed three Maoists and seized several weapons.

Chhattisgarh is worst-hit by the Maoist insurgency that began more than three decades ago. At least half of Chhattisgarh's 16 districts have a presence of the Maoist guerrillas and over 170 civilians have been killed in the state since January, according to official figures.