India, March 20 -- At least 18 suspected Maoists and a district reserve guard (DRG) soldier were killed on Thursday in an encounter in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district, police said. Four more suspected Maoists were gunned down in a separate encounter in Kanker district.

"A gunfight broke out at 7 am in the forest along the border of Bijapur and Dantewada districts. A joint team of security personnel was conducting an anti-Naxalite operation under the Gangaloor police station area (Bijapur)," a statement issued by the police said.

The statement further mentioned that the bodies of the 18 Maoists were recovered along with firearms and explosives. The police said that the search is ongoing and more details are awaited.

At least 31 suspecte...