Nagas have protested violently

Police officials told the BBC that those killed belonged to the Khaplang faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN)

Those who attacked them are believed to belong to the NSCN's Muivah faction.

Officials say they are worried over the resumption of hostilities between the two factions, which could have an impact on the peace process in Nagaland.

Though both factions of the NSCN are observing the current ceasefire with the Indian security forces, they often attack each other.

Factional feud

Three weeks ago, guerrillas of the Khaplang faction killed several members of the Muivah faction, and attacked one of their key offices in the town of Dimapur.

Late on Thursday, the guerrillas of the Muivah faction hit back.

Several guerrillas of the Khaplang faction were picked up from various parts of Dimapur town, the state's major commercial centre.

Police officials say they were tortured and killed and their bodies were dumped in some solitary parts of the town.

So far, seven bodies, mostly mutilated, have been recovered from four locations in and around Dimapur.

Some Khaplang faction guerrillas were recovered in a seriously injured condition and at least one of them is in a state of coma.

Officials say that if the factional feud between the two factions intensify, it may affect the peace process in Nagaland.

Both factions are involved in negotiations with Delhi, the Muivah faction for the last four years and the Khaplang faction for the last few months.