The six died in a fierce shootout late Wednesday with police in a forested area north of Raipur, capital of the tiny state of Chhattisgarh, police said.

A woman Maoist rebel was among the three arrested in the raid in Dantewada district, one of the areas worst hit in the state by insurgent activities, inspector general T.J. Lonkumer said.

More than 175 people -- including security personnel, Maoists and civilians -- have been killed in a wave of violence since January in Chhattisgarh.

An estimated 50,000 villagers, caught in the conflict between the rebels and security forces, have fled their homes and taken refuge in 27 government relief camps.

The Maoists -- who have taken control of 10 of Chhattisgarh's 16 impoverished districts -- say they are fighting for the rights of poor and landless farmers.