8 left-wing Naxalite rebels killed by Indian security forces

Indian security forces Tuesday killed eight left-wing Naxalite rebels in an encounter on the border of central state of Chhattisgarh and southern state of Telangana.

"The eight rebels, including five women, were killed in a joint operation by the Telangana and Chhattisgarh Police, along with a special commando unit of the neighboring southern state of Andhra Pradesh," a senior police official said.

He added: "The operation was launched by the security forces, acting on a tip-off that notorious Naxalite leader Hari Kishan was in the area. However, he escaped during the gun battle."

A huge cache of weapons and explosives have been recovered from the slain rebels, the official said, adding a massive manhunt has been launched to nab other rebels possibly hiding in the forested areas of the border.