India, Sept. 12 -- Two Maoists were killed in a gunfight with security forces in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district on Friday, a day after a senior Maoist leader was suspected to be among nine Left-wing insurgents dead in a gun battle in the central Indian state.

People aware of the matter said the fresh gunfight broke out during a search operation that was launched after security forces were tipped off about the presence of Maoists in Bijapur. Bodies of two Maoists, a .303 rifle, other weapons, explosives, and daily use items were recovered from the scene.

The gunfight was still underway even as security forces refused to specify its exact location and the strength of the forces involved, citing operational reasons.

On Thursday, security...