India police battle Maoist rebels

Large amounts of weapons were seized in Friday's audacious attack

Heavy fighting is continuing between police and Maoist rebels hiding in a jungle in the Indian state of Orissa.

The battle comes two days after 13 policemen were killed when 500 Maoist rebels attacked a police compound in the eastern state's Nayagarh district.

The rebels stole a huge amount of weapons and ammunition from the site's armoury during Friday night's attack.

Police and soldiers are trying to hunt down the Maoists in the forest where they have taken shelter, police say.

Government officials say there have been casualties among the Maoists, known as Naxalites, but have refused to give details.

Gopal Chandra Nanda, the director general of the state police, said the fighting, which started on Saturday evening, broke off after darkness fell but resumed on Sunday morning.

"The encounter is on and there are casualties on the Naxal side," he said.

He said there were no casualties among government troops.