"Hezbollah's involvement in the conflict has undoubtedly strengthened the regime's ability to combat the rebels and prolonged the conflict, " he said.

NPR: Hezbollah-Backed Lebanese Shiites Fight In Syria

Police identified one of those dead as Mahendra Karma, a Congress party leader in Chhattisgarh who founded a local militia, the Salwa Judum, to combat the Maoist rebels.

NPR: Suspected Rebels Kill 24; India Officials Outraged

About 1, 000 American troops are in the southern Philippines training local soldiers to combat Abu Sayyaf rebels, which the Bush administration links to the al-Qaeda global militant network.

BBC: US inspects Philippines mission