Maoist rebels have blown up culverts and cut electricity to railways on the first day of a strike that they have called in parts of India, reports BBC.

Police in eastern Jharkhand state, where the two-day strike is most pronounced, say suspected rebels also killed two people in the Pakor area.

Two managers of a coal mine were gunned down during their morning walk but no-one has claimed responsibility. India says that Maoist insurgents pose its biggest security threat.

They operate in many states and say they are fighting for the rights of the poor and landless.

The rebels have called for a two-day strike in five affected states of Jharkhand, Bihar, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh in protest against "police atrocities".

Jharkhand appeared to be the most affected state with public transport suspended and deserted highways in affected areas, our correspondent Salman Ravi says.

Also markets are shut and roads are deserted in affected areas such as Latehar and Palamau.

The strike comes days ahead of a planned offensive by the government against the rebels, whom it describes as the "greatest internal threat" to India.