India, March 29 -- At least 18 suspected Maoists were killed, and four jawans were injured on Saturday in two separate encounters with security forces in Chhattisgarh's Sukma and Bijapur districts, police said.

In Sukma, 17 Maoists, including 11 female cadres, were killed. Among them was a member of the special zonal committee member (SZCM) of CPI (Maoist), said Sunderaj P, inspector general of police, Bastar Range.

"Four security personnel-three from DRG Sukma and one from CRPF-were also injured in the encounter, and their condition is stable," the IG added.

In Bijapur on Saturday evening, one Maoist was killed by security personnel in the Narsapur jungles. "We have recovered one body and weapons. The body is yet to be identified," sa...