KATHMANDU, March 20(AFP): A Maoist guerrilla was killed in a two-hour gunbattle between Nepalese troops and rebels near Kathmandu early Monday, an army official said, while the rebels claimed 15 soldiers died. The clash took place in Kavre district, 30 kilometres (19 miles) east of Kathmandu, an army official said. "The clash, which lasted for about two hours, erupted after the Maoists attacked the troops at around 5.45 am Monday," said the official at army headquarters in Kathmandu on condition of anonymity. The troops came under attack when they were heading towards the area to restore the local water supply after it had been disrupted by the rebels. "We have recovered the body of one Maoist from the clash site. Search operations have been intensified and we are waiting for details," the official said. The Maoists claimed that 15 soldiers were killed and more than a dozen injured in the clash. The army official denied the troops had suffered casualties. The rebels also said that they had seized various weapons from the troops. On Sunday the rebels called off a six-day-long transport blockade with effect from Monday. The Maoists said they had reached a second understanding with sidelined political parties to hold a mass pro-democracy protest next month as part of an attempt to topple the royal government. King Gyanendra sacked the government and assumed direct control of the impoverished Himalayan nation just over a year ago, blaming politicians for failing to stem the insurgency.
|