Police and paramilitary forces in India's eastern Jharkhand state gunned down four Maoists and arrested three others. The fierce gunfight took place at Jonha.

Following a tip off about Maoists movement in neighboring West Bengal, security forces put up several blockades.

[Praveen Kumar, Senior Supt. of Police, Ranchi]:
"We had placed blockades at six places which were there continuously for the past two days. We were successful near Jonha area, where following an encounter four Maoists were killed. Though we have only found one body. The search operation is on to find the rest of the Maoists.”

India's home minister says the government is willing to talk to the Maoists about issues such as poverty and corruption, but insists the rebels must first stop the violence.

The Maoist rebellion started up forty years ago and has now spread to about 20 of India's 29 states. India’s prime minister says they’re the country’s biggest internal security challenge since independence.