The deceased included Rajnandgaon district SP Vinod Kumar Choubey, 49. He was on top of a hit-list of insurgents for a long time for breaking up the rebels' urban network in state capital Raipur and the industrial town of Bhilai.

Officials say that about 13 policemen are still missing after Sunday's attacks that have shaken up the entire police set up as well as the state's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government. The opposition Congress has sought urgent imposition of president's rule to tame the insurgents.

Chief Minister Raman Singh said: 'It's not the time for the opposition to play politics but all political parties, intellectuals and people of the state should rally behind the police who have all the resources and strength to hit back.'