M A I N   N E W S

Over 500 Maoists killed in Nepal

Kathmandu, March 21
More than 500 Maoists were killed and over 200 injured in Beni, Myagdi district, 300 km west of Kathmandu last night, Royal Nepal Army claimed here today.

“According to our preliminary information at least 500 Maoists were killed and 200 injured in the joint action by the security forces when the insurgents tried to capture Beni, the district headquarters of Myagdi last night,” spokesman of the Royal Nepalese Army Colonel Dipak Gurung said at a press conference this evening.

The fighting erupted when the Maoists attacked the district police office, army barrack, prison, district administration office and other offices last night, he said.

Altogether 17 security personnel, including 11 Royal Nepalese Army and 7 policemen were killed, he added. The encounter lasted for 12 hours, he added.

This was the highest casualty suffered by the Maoists in a single incident since the Army was mobilised in November 2001. Launching aerial attacks, the joint teams of security forces foiled an attempt by the Maoists to capture Benibazaar. — Agencies