(KUNA) -- In a major counter-insurgency success, at least five Maoist rebels were killed by security forces in Jamshedpur district in Eastern Indian state of Jharkhand on Thursday.Nearly 15 rebels of the banned Communist Party of India-Maoist attacked one Karuunum village in Jamshedpur district early today, reported Indo Asian News Service, quoting an official of Jharkhand Police. In the subsequent encounter between the rebels and security forces, five Maoists were killed, the official informed. One Insas, three AK 57 rifles and live cartridges have been recovered from the slain rebels, the official said.
One of the slain Maoists have been identified as "Vikas," who masterminded the attack on Indian Parliamentarian Sunil Mahto last year, the news agency said. Mahato was killed in the attack.
Maoists are active in 18 of the 24 districts of Jharkhand. But the security forces have achieved success against them in recent past.