| bardan |
Posted
on 16-Feb-04 08:13 AM
At least 35 Maoists have been killed in an ongoing gun battle with security forces in the mid-western district of Kalikot, a news bulletin by Radio Nepal said at 9:00 pm Monday.
The actual location where the clashes are continuing since Sunday morning is Kotwada area of the district, the Radio said. The area is at eight kilometres distance from the district headquarters Manma.
The security forces have encircled around 1,000 Maoists in the area, the Radio said, adding that many of them may be central level leaders of the rebels.
Three security personnel are also reported injured, the Radio said, quoting local security sources. Night vision helicopters are also hovering and launching air raids in the area, the Radio further said.
Independent news reports had not verified the Kalikot clashes until 9:00 pm Monday.
Meanwhile, a statement from the Defence Ministry said 12 Maoists were shot dead in different encounters with the security forces recently.
The security forces shot dead one each Maoist in Sunsari, Kavre, Sindhupalchowk and Nuwakot on Sunday, the statement said, adding that one more Maoist was killed in Taplejung on February 8.
Likewise, five more in Sindhuli and two in Dhading were killed on the same day, the statement further said. nepalnews.com mr Feb 16 04
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