At Least 23 Killed In India By Suspected Maoist Rebels

At least 23 people, including several local leaders of India's governing Congress party, have been killed in an attack on their convoy by suspected Maoist rebels.

The attack occurred on May 25 south of Raipur, in the eastern state of Chhattisgarh.

Reports say the attackers blocked the road by knocking down trees, then set off an explosive before spraying the convoy with gunfire.

Officials said two leaders of the Congress party in Chhattisgarh state and five police officers were among those killed.

A local party leader and his son were reported abducted.

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh vowed the government would hunt down the attackers.

Singh has previously described the rebels, who say they are fighting to improve the conditions of poor people and landless farmers, as India’s biggest domestic security threat.

Based on reporting by AFP and AP