Gadchiroli (Maharashtra), Dec 6 (IANS): At least seven suspected Maoists, including five women, were killed in a gun battle near Zinganur forests in Maharashtra on Wednesday, official sources said.
Security forces overcame the firepower of the Maoists in the deep jungles and eliminated seven of the attackers.
Details of the Maoists killed were awaited even as the security forces launched combing operations to find others who may be hiding in the forests in Sironcha sub-district.
Maoist groups are currently observing their annual 'Peoples Liberation Guerilla Army (PLGA)' week from December 2-8.
Since the last week of November, Maoists have struck on several occasions and killed at least five civilians suspecting them to be police spies. They also gunned down two security personnel.
As a precaution, senior police officials are camping in the worst-affected regions for the past fortnight.