The Hindu : Security forces kill 68 Maoists in Nepal

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Mar 18, 2002

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International

Security forces kill 68 Maoists in Nepal

KATHMANDU MARCH 17. Intensifying strikes against Maoist guerrillas, the Nepalese security forces today killed at least 68 rebels in different encounters, including 62 at training camps in Rolpa district, 425 km west of Kathmandu.

Sixty-two rebels were gunned down in Gumchal of Rolpa district, a Defence Ministry statement said, adding those killed also included some terrorist trainers.

Dozens of Maoists were also injured during the attack which lasted several hours, but the exact number was not known yet, sources said.

The security forces action followed after a tip off that terrorist training activities were being carried out in the area to launch attacks in various parts of western Nepal.

The terrorists also retaliated but no casualties were reported on the side of the security forces yet, the official claimed, adding the training camps had been destroyed completely and a huge cache of arms and ammunitions, training materials and food grains recovered from the camps.

The Minister of State for Home, Devendra Raj Kandel, had earlier said heavy fighting was reported between the security forces and the Maoist rebels in Rolpa in which a large number of terrorists were believed to have been killed.

In separate encounters, three terrorists each were killed in Argal area of Baglung district and Shankarpur of Kanchanpur district in West Nepal, the Defence Ministry statement said.

Meanwhile, the bomb disposal teams had defused bombs planted by Maoists at public places in Sudal, Bramahayani, Dudhpokhari, Chapacho of Thimi, Dadhikot and Sanothini areas. — PTI

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