Rebels known as Naxalites have waged an insurgency that has ebbed and flowed over decades, but government operations have given them less space to maneuver.

Indian Minister Amit Shah hailed the fight as a "big success" against the communist Naxalite insurgency. The clash in Chattisgarh's Bijapur district also left two Indian security personnel dead.

At least 31 suspected Maoist rebels and two police officials were killed on Sunday in the deadliest combat so far this year in central India, police said.