NEW DELHI, June 2 (Xinhua) -- India's anti-terror agency has recovered over 4,000 kg of gelatin explosives from a hideout of left-wing Naxalite rebels in eastern state of Jharkhand, sources said Saturday.

It was said to be one of the biggest explosive hauls from Naxalites in recent years.

"The seizure of the explosives was made by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), in collaboration with the para-military Central Reserve Police Force and the local police, during the probe of a criminal case in the state," sources said.

Jharkhand is among the seven Indian states hit by Naxalite insurgency.

The left-wing rebels' insurgency began in the eastern state of West Bengal in late 1960s, spreading to more than one-third of India's 600-plus administrative districts.

Though major offensives by security forces in recent years have pushed the rebels back to their forest strongholds and the levels of violence have fallen, hit-and-run attacks are still common, killing hundreds of people, mostly security personnel, every year.