Authorities in the eastern Indian state of Orissa say suspected Maoist rebels have raided two villages in Sambalpur district, killing five people.
The authorities say the guerillas dragged the victims out of their homes Wednesday night before hacking them to death. Local police say the rebels apparently suspected the five of being police informers.
Police have launched an operation to find the attackers.
The rebels have been active in several southern and eastern Indian states since the early 1970s. They say they are fighting for the rights of the region's poor and landless farmers.
The authorities say the guerillas dragged the victims out of their homes Wednesday night before hacking them to death. Local police say the rebels apparently suspected the five of being police informers.
Police have launched an operation to find the attackers.
The rebels have been active in several southern and eastern Indian states since the early 1970s. They say they are fighting for the rights of the region's poor and landless farmers.