India, Feb. 9 -- At least 12 suspected Maoists and two jawans were killed on Sunday in an encounter with security personnel in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district on Sunday, police said.

The encounter took place inside the forest in the Indravati National Park area around 8.30 am, according to Sunderaj P, inspector general of police (IGP), Bastar range.

"After the firing stopped, we found 12 bodies, and the combing operation is still ongoing," said the IG.

He added that intermittent exchanges of fire were still taking place, and more details were awaited.

In a joint operation by the District Reserve Guard (DRG), Special Task Force (STF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and its elite unit CoBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action)...