The Indian army has launched an offensive against Maoist rebels in the federal state of West Bengal.

The insurgents have seized control of the town of Lalgargh. At the weekend, government buildings in the region were set on fire and Indian media report that at least 10 people were killed in clashes. At least 20,000 Maoist insurgents are reportedly active in a large part of India. Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has called the Maoist insurrection 'one of the most serious threats to national security'.