India, Dec. 5 -- Six more bodies of Maoists were recovered on Thursday following an encounter with security personnel in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district, taking the toll to 18, officials said.

Three personnel of the District Reserve Guard (DRG) were also killed in the exchange of fire that erupted on Wednesday.

According to police, 16 out of the 18 slain Maoists have been identified as senior cadres, collectively carrying a reward of Rs.1.30 crore.

Inspector general of police (IGP) Sundarraj P said the bodies of 12 Maoists were found till late Wednesday evening after prolonged intermittent firing between security forces and Maoists. When the firing stopped on Thursday morning, six more bodies were recovered during the search operation....