2nd LD Writethru: 12 Indian security forces personnel killed in ambush by left-wing rebels

At least 12 paramilitary troopers of India's Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were killed and six others wounded Monday in a fierce gunfight with Naxals in central Indian state of Chhattisgarh, police said.

The gunfight broke out near Chintagufa in Sukma district, about 398 km south of Raipur, the capital city of Chhattisgarh.

"Today Naxals attacked a contingent of CRPF near Chintagufa in Sukma, triggering a gunfight," a police official posted in Sukma told Xinhua. "In the gunfight some CRPF men were wounded and they have been airlifted to hospital but unfortunately 12 of our troopers were also killed."

Officials said they have rushed reinforcements of police and CRPF to the area to take on Naxals there.

"Since it's a far flung area, further details are awaited," the official said. "As of now we don't know about the casualties of Naxals."

According to police, the CRPF men were on a routine patrol in the area.

Reports said Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh cut short his visit to New Delhi and rushed back to Raipur for an emergency meeting in wake of the deadly attack.

Last month, 12 CRPF personnel were killed and five others wounded after Naxals ambushed them in the district. The Naxals later looted 10 service rifles from the slain troopers.

Earlier during the day, a major tragedy was averted after an improvised explosive device weighing 10 kg planted by Naxals was diffused by bomb disposal squad in neighbouring Dantewada district.

Naxalites are also known as "Maoists."

Maoist insurgency has its genesis in the violent left-wing rebellion that began in 1967 at village Naxalbari in Indian state of West Bengal.

Currently Maoists are active in more than a third of India's 600-odd districts across central and eastern India.

New Delhi has deployed several companies of its paramilitary forces to take on Naxals in their strongholds. Endit