Maoists shot dead in east India

At least 10 militants belonging to an outlawed Maoist group are said to have killed in an encounter with the police in eastern India.

Authorities in the newly formed state of Jharkhand, where the incident took place, say four bodies have been recovered so far.

They say one policeman was killed and five others were injured in the encounter with the banned People's War Group.

A senior police officer, TP Sinha, said he suspected the militants managed to carry the bodies of the other six killed in the encounter while escaping.

Five people, who were injured, have been admitted to a government hospital.

The PWG is campaigning against what it says is the large-scale exploitation of landless farmers in Jharkhand.