Police in eastern India say Maoist rebels have abducted 15 workers who were engaged in a bridge construction project.
Local authorities say about 50 armed rebels stormed the construction company's office in Bihar state on Tuesday, taking away laborers. The company is building a bridge in the area.
Police say an extensive search operation was underway to rescue the kidnapped workers.
Maoist rebels, known as Naxalites or Naxals, have infiltrated more than 20 Indian states.
Indian leaders have referred to Naxalism as the country's biggest internal security threat. The groups include some of the country's most extreme poor, who say they are struggling against state-sanctioned acquisition of their land and natural resources.
