Sukma Naxal attack: Death toll of Naxals rises to 20

More than 20 Naxals were killed in anencounter that took place on Sunday in Chattisgarh's Sukma district.

While addressing a media, Special Director General of anti-Naxal operations DMAwasthi said, "For more than 5 hours, our forces endured heavy firing from Naxals in which two of our soldiers died. We also gave a befitting reply to their attack. More than 20 Naxals were killed in the firing".

Heavy shellings between the troops of a 202nd battalion of the Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) and Naxalsstarted at around 11 am and continued for over 5 hoursin Sukma's Bheji on Sunday.

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Two security personnel and a civilian were killedwhile six others were injured in the encounter.

Earlierreports had indicated about a warning from Intelligence agenciesfor a big Naxal attack on security forces in Chhattisgarh's South Bastar region.

The Naxal insurgency, considered India's most serious internal security threat, has claimed around 10,000 lives since it started in the 1960s.

Chhattisgarh is part of the so-called "red corridor" that passes through resource-rich areas of central, southern, western and eastern India and is mostly inhabited by underprivileged tribes.

Naxalites, who say they are fighting for the rights of marginalised tribal groups, operate from jungle bases but often descend on villages to demand protection money and recruit young men and women to their ranks.