Rebels and Army clash in Nepal
SBS: Maoists have clashed with security forces in far-western Nepal in the first clash since the rebels ended a unilateral four-month-old ceasefire early this week.
The Nepalese military said there were no confirmed casualties in the fighting in Mauriya, Dadeldhura district, where 'terrorists' had extorted money and food from villagers.
"The two sides clashed after the security forces overpowered the terrorists' sentry post in Mauriya area, and after two hours' clashes they (the rebels) fled the scene," the army headquarters said in a statement.
Human shields
The army also said the rebels had entered a village school and "used the school children as human shields".
"The security forces did not suffer any damage (and) while it is believed that terrorists might have suffered some casualties, it could not be confirmed," the army statement said.
The security forces reported they had recovered crudely made explosives from the leftist rebels.
The clash was the first armed confrontation between the Maoist rebels and security forces in far-western Nepal since the ceasefire broke down Monday.
Maoist leader Pushpa Kamal Dahal alias Pranchanda called off the four-month-old truce in a statement Monday, blaming continued military action by the army.
He said the rebels would resume hostilities against government forces but not target civilians, a move welcomed by human rights organisation.
Dental team diverted
An Australian dental team which arrived in Nepal just day after the end of the ceasefire was declared has been diverted from Jamparling Tibetan Settlement Camp, at Dulegauda, about 25 kilometres from the capital Kathmandu because of the violence.
The Nepalese authorities have sent them to Tashilling Tibetan Settlement near Pokhara to avoid clashing with the Maoists.
Chris Catsanis from the Sydney-based Tashi Palkhiel Tibetan Refugee Education and Dental Health organisation said four bombs had been set off in Pokhara in the last two days but none of his team was injured.
Mr Catsanis said his group aimed to take a day trip to Jamparling camp to treat 80 Tibetan Kham Guerrila fighters who were responsbile for safely guiding the Dalai Lama out of Tibet.
So far the Nepalese authorities have given the go ahead for the trip.
The Maoist rebels have been fighting for a communist republic in Nepal since 1996 in an uprising that has claimed more than 12,000 lives.
Nepal's home ministry said Wednesday that security personnel had been directed to carry out search and security checks to maintain law and order, state media reported.
The move followed recent explosions outside the Kathmandu Valley and "the confiscation of arms and ammunition hidden at public places in Kathmandu a few days ago," state-run news agency RSS said.
SOURCE: World News
The Nepalese military said there were no confirmed casualties in the fighting in Mauriya, Dadeldhura district, where 'terrorists' had extorted money and food from villagers.
"The two sides clashed after the security forces overpowered the terrorists' sentry post in Mauriya area, and after two hours' clashes they (the rebels) fled the scene," the army headquarters said in a statement.
Human shields
The army also said the rebels had entered a village school and "used the school children as human shields".
"The security forces did not suffer any damage (and) while it is believed that terrorists might have suffered some casualties, it could not be confirmed," the army statement said.
The security forces reported they had recovered crudely made explosives from the leftist rebels.
The clash was the first armed confrontation between the Maoist rebels and security forces in far-western Nepal since the ceasefire broke down Monday.
Maoist leader Pushpa Kamal Dahal alias Pranchanda called off the four-month-old truce in a statement Monday, blaming continued military action by the army.
He said the rebels would resume hostilities against government forces but not target civilians, a move welcomed by human rights organisation.
Dental team diverted
An Australian dental team which arrived in Nepal just day after the end of the ceasefire was declared has been diverted from Jamparling Tibetan Settlement Camp, at Dulegauda, about 25 kilometres from the capital Kathmandu because of the violence.
The Nepalese authorities have sent them to Tashilling Tibetan Settlement near Pokhara to avoid clashing with the Maoists.
Chris Catsanis from the Sydney-based Tashi Palkhiel Tibetan Refugee Education and Dental Health organisation said four bombs had been set off in Pokhara in the last two days but none of his team was injured.
Mr Catsanis said his group aimed to take a day trip to Jamparling camp to treat 80 Tibetan Kham Guerrila fighters who were responsbile for safely guiding the Dalai Lama out of Tibet.
So far the Nepalese authorities have given the go ahead for the trip.
The Maoist rebels have been fighting for a communist republic in Nepal since 1996 in an uprising that has claimed more than 12,000 lives.
Nepal's home ministry said Wednesday that security personnel had been directed to carry out search and security checks to maintain law and order, state media reported.
The move followed recent explosions outside the Kathmandu Valley and "the confiscation of arms and ammunition hidden at public places in Kathmandu a few days ago," state-run news agency RSS said.
SOURCE: World News
posted by Marko at 1/04/2006 09:38:00 PM
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