Ranchi/New Delhi, Aug 28 - Maoist rebels gunned down four people, including a woman and a 14-year-old girl, after raiding a house near this Jharkhand capital Friday. The central government 'strongly' condemned 'such wanton and brutal' killings.

A group of about 20 armed Maoists attacked the home of Digambar Mahato in Bundu, about 45 km from here, at 1.30 a.m.

The rebels blasted the door of the house with IEDs and grenades and then opened indiscriminate fire, resulting in the death of Rita Kumari, 14, Budni Devi, 25, Pradeep Kumar, 25, and Vijay Pramanik, 16.

Mahato's younger daughter was injured and was admitted to a hospital, where her condition was said to be out of danger.

'The mode of operation indicates that Maoist rebels executed the killing,' said Arun Mathew, superintendent of police (Rural).

In New Delhi, a home ministry statement said the Communist Party of India-Maoist was 'desperate' to 'take control of common citizens'.

'We should be aware that the true face of the CPI-Maoist is that of an organised group of terrorists. Apart from such inhuman acts, the (rebels) remain anti-development and continue to target the very instruments of development - school buildings, roads, telephone towers and railway stations,' the statement said.