At least three Naxalites have been killed in a fierce gunfight in the central Indian state of Chhattisgarh, Xinhua news agency quoted police as saying.

The gunfight between Naxalites and combined police and paramilitary forces took place in Indrawati area of Bijapur district, about 420 kilometres south of Raipur, the capital of Chhattisgarh state.

“The identities of the slain Naxalites are being ascertained,” a senior police official said.

The police official said government forces did not suffer any casualties in the standoff.

Police also said a large number of arms and ammunition were recovered from the site.

“Search operations are still underway in the area,” the official added.

Last month, the Naxalites suffered serious losses in the state, losing over 45 of their fighters in gunfights with government forces.

According to reports, 138 Naxals have been eliminated in Chhattisgarh since the beginning of this year.