Five Maoist Rebels Killed in Clash with Indian Security Forces

RAIPUR, India — Indian security forces killed five Maoist rebels in a gunfight in Chhattisgarh state on Saturday. The clash took place in the Abujhmad forests, an area known for Maoist activity.

The deaths bring the total toll from the conflict in 2024 to about 200, one of the highest in years. The Maoists, or Naxalites, have been fighting for the rights of poor indigenous people in India’s central regions for decades. Over 10,000 people have died since the insurgency began in 1967.

The fighting happened near the districts of Kanker and Narayanpur. Police found rifles and ammunition on the bodies of the rebels. Two police officers were injured in the clash.

The Indian government has been working to end the rebellion, with plans to defeat the Maoists by 2026. The Maoists demand land, jobs, and a fair share of local resources for the people.

In recent years, the government has reduced the number of affected areas and invested in infrastructure and social programs to weaken the Maoists’ support.