Almost 30 Maoist militants eliminated in India

Indian security forces killed at least 29 Maoist militants during an operation in the state of Chhattisgarh. According to NDTV, the clash took place in Kanker district.

According to this information, the killed extremists included the Maoist field commander Shankar Rao, for whose head the authorities offered a reward of 2.5 million rupees (about $30 thousand). During the shootout, three security officers were wounded.

Maoists, who are more commonly referred to in India as Naxalites, have been active in the country since the 1960s. They promote their own version of Maoism and Marxism-Leninism and are currently active in 14 of India's 28 states. The Naxalites say they intend to liberate the poor peasantry from “capitalist oppression” and often enjoy the support of the local population. Extremists hide in the jungle and attack villages, officials and police. New Delhi considers the Maoists one of the main internal threats.