As many as seven Naxalite rebels have been killed in a gunfight with security forces in central Indian state of Chhattisgarh Thursday, police said.

The incident took place in Timenaar Pahadi area in the state's Dantewada district.

"The gunfight broke out when Naxalites opened fire on security forces carrying out a search operation in the area. The forces retaliated," local police chief Kamalochan Kashyap told media.

"Seven bodies have been recovered till now. We have also recovered six weapons from the possession of the slain rebels," he added.

Chhattisgarh is often hit by Naxalite violence.

The Naxalite insurgency began in the eastern state of West Bengal in late 1960s, spreading to more than one-third of India's administrative districts.