NEW DELHI- Government forces killed at least 14 Maoist rebels during a raidon their hideout Sunday in a forested area in western India, police said.

The fighting began after police commandos raided the rebels’ hideout deepin a forested area in Gadchilori district in Maharashtra state, said policeofficer Prashant Diwate.

Diwate said exchange of gunfire between the rebels and troops lasted abouthalf an hour. He said police were searching the area for more possiblebodies.

He said police suffered no casualties.

The Maoist rebels, who claim inspiration from Chinese revolutionary leaderMao Zedong, have been fighting the Indian government for more than fourdecades, demanding land and jobs for tenant farmers and the poor. -Agencies