Government on Friday said it was determined to combat the challenge posed by Naxalites and promised all assistance to state governments plagued by the menace.

"The government views the Naxalite menace as an area of serious concern and remains fully determined to combat the challenge posed by it in association with state governments," Home Minister Shivraj Patil told the Lok Sabha.

Making a statement on the Naxal attack on the police force in Bijapur district in Chhattisgarh early on Thursday, Patil said 55 people, including 16 personnel of State Armed Police and 39 special police officers, had been reportedly killed.

Besides, 12 police personnel were injured, he said adding, 10 to 12 Naxalites were also reportedly killed in the incident.

On the looting of arms, Patil said 39 police weapons have been taken away by Naxalites. He said there were about 70 personnel of SAP and SPO camping there.

Search operations are continuing keeping in view the possibility of surrounding areas being mined by Naxalites, he said.