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22 Nepalese security personnel killed in fierce battle with Maoists

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

New Delhi, March 3, IRNA -- At least 22 Nepalese security personnel, 
17 from the police and 5 from the army, were killed in a gunbattle 
with Maoists after midnight Tuesday in the eastern hilly district of 
Bhojpur, 500 kms east of Kathmandu, the local media reported here on 
Wednesday. 
The clashes occurred when the armed Maoists attempted to capture a
telephone tower in Bhojpur bazaar, the district headquarters, the 
sources said, adding that firing was heard until dawn. A joint team of
47 security personnel were safeguarding the tower when the attack 
began, he said. 
The rebels also suffered heavy losses as a night vision-equipped 
helicopter was flown to the district from the capital to pound the 
insurgents during the fighting. 
Maoist casualties have not been confirmed yet, he added. "Maoists 
were also killed in the clashes, but the actual number of casualties 
on their side is still being awaited," the sources said. 
Communication was cut off as of 9:30 p.m. Tuesday evening. 
Meanwhile, a total of 287 Nepalese security personnel, including 
the army, armed police and civil police, have died since the breakdown
of the ceasefire on August 27, 2003, the Nepalese Army (RNA) said. 
Among the dead, 82 were from army personnel, 105 civilian police, 
and 100 armed police personnel, the RNA officials said, not 
revealing the death tolls in the Maoist side during the same period. 
A total of 127 army personnel, 157 civil police and 100 more armed
police were also injured, the RNA said. 
In the same period, the RNA seized 350 kg of explosives, 171 
detonators and many more Maoist documents and devices, said RNA 
spokesman Col. Deepak Gurung. 
2160/LS/210 
End