An Indian army soldier stands guard atop an armored vehicle in Bandipora, north of Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Aug 5, 2023. (PHOTO / AP)

NEW DELHI - Six Naxals, including two women cadres, were killed in a fierce gunfight with joint contingents of India's police and paramilitary forces in the central state of Chhattisgarh on Wednesday, police said.

The gunfight broke out in the forest area of Basaguda in Bijapur district, about 481 km south of Raipur, the capital city of Chhattisgarh.

Currently, Naxals are active across central and eastern parts of India

According to police, the gunfight occurred during a search operation by the joint contingents.

On specific intelligence information about the presence of Naxals, a joint team rushed to the spot, and in the exchange of fire between the two sides, six Naxals, four men and two women, were killed, senior police officer P Sundarraj said.

"We have also recovered a huge cache of arms and ammunition from the spot, besides their communication system," Sundarraj said.

According to Sundarraj, the government forces have not suffered any damage in the gunfight.

Currently, Naxals are active across central and eastern parts of India.

The insurgency has claimed hundreds of lives.