Rebels in the eastern Indian state of Jharkhand have killed at least 13 people in a remote village, police say. Deputy inspector general of police Neeraj Sinha told the BBC that more than 200 Maoists raided Bhelwa village in Girdih district on Sunday.
He said the villagers were targeted as they had formed a self-defence group to counter the rebels.
The village is located in difficult terrain surrounded by forests and is difficult to reach, the officer said.
Rich in minerals
"This is the first time the extremists have targeted civilians in such a big way," Jharkhand Chief Minister Arjun Munda told Reuters news agency from the state capital, Ranchi, about 150 km (90 miles) away.
Jharkhand is rich in minerals and forest resources, but its people are among the poorest in India.
The killings in Jharkhand follow a landmine attack by Maoist rebels in neighbouring Chattisgarh state last week in which 24 paramilitary police were killed.
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