In eastern India today, Maoist rebels set three trucks on fire and gunned down a truck driver’s assistant.

The incident occurred along the National Highway in the Gumla region, around 90 miles from the city of Ranchi.

The rebels have ignored repeated calls to renounce violence and negotiate—and they’ve stepped up their attacks in recent months. In response, the Indian government has had to revamp its efforts to root out the rebels.

Thousands have been killed in the Maoist insurgency that began in the late 1960s. India’s Prime Minister says it’s one of the biggest domestic threats to India's internal security.