Twelve Maoists gunned down in Chhattisgarh & MP, toll may rise

The seizure of a light machine-gun, AK-47 rifles and several under-barrel grenade launchers in Bijapur suggests the presence of a high-ranking Maoist leader among those killed. According to police, the toll may rise as several other insurgents were wounded. Since the Vishnu Deo Sai-led BJP govt took office last Dec, a total of 47 Maoists have been killed in the state.