NEW DELHI, Feb. 1 (Xinhua) -- Indian security forces on Saturday gunned down at least eight armed rebels, locally called "Naxals", in the country's central state of Chhattisgarh, confirmed a government official.
The encounter between the security personnel and the armed rebels took place in Gangaloor area of the state's Bijapur district.
According to the official, dead bodies of the eight Naxals had been recovered from the site of encounter, and a search operation was underway to look for more.
The exchange of fire took place when a joint team of security personnel was out on an anti-Naxals operation. ■