At least 30 rebels and six government soldiers have been killed over the past two days in fighting between government forces and extreme left-wing rebels in the central Indian state of Chhattisgarh, reported the local newspaper Hindustan Times on Sunday.

The fighting took place in a rebel stronghold in southern Chhattisgarh, Dantewada, where the anti-insurgency strike force Commando Battalion for Resolute Action, also known as Cobra, was carrying out a major operation against the left-wing rebels along with local police.

A weapon-production unit of the rebels, also called Naxals, has been destroyed, according to the report quoting Indian Home Ministry sources.

(Xinhua News Agency September 20, 2009)