500 Maoists, 18 security men killed in Nepal
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
New Delhi, March 22, IRNA -- Altogether 500 Maoists were killed, 200 injured in the Beni Bazaar clashes that saw 18 Nepalese security personnel dead and 13 injured, claims Nepal Army (RNA), local media reported here on Monday. In a briefly called press meet on Sunday evening, RNA spokesman Colonel Deepak Gurung said in Kathmandu that the number of deaths were based on the statements of eye-witnesses. When asked repeatedly about the "basis" of the 500 deaths in the Maoist side, Gurung said the detailed report would be available only later Monday. "Communication is totally cut off and we are trying to acquire more information," he said. "The death toll which we revealed in this press meet were received until 5:0 p.m. Sunday," he said. The RNA spokesman did not confirm as to how many bodies of Maoist rebels were recovered from the incident site. He, at the same time, claimed that 200 Maoists were injured in the gun battle. Two RNA soldiers and 11 policemen were also injured, he said. "Of them, two soldiers are in serious condition." Gurung further claimed that the security forces were "pre- informed" about the Maoists` possible attack in Beni Bazaar. Altogether 120 additional security personnel were brought to Beni Bazaar, the district headquarters of Myagdi on Saturday to foil Maoists` possible attack, he said. "And we foiled the attack," he said. "Maoist were aiming to capture the district headquarters but we defeated them and they suffered heavy losses." Maoists (whose number the RNA could not confirm) started to attack the bazaar at around 10:30 pm Saturday and the gun battle lasted until 10:30 am Sunday, he said. He further said the security forces, for the first time, recovered an AK-47 rifle, made in Russia, from the Maoists. On actual damages to physical infrastructures caused by the Maoist strike, he said it was yet to be confirmed. Commenting on reports that Maoists abducted 30 security personnel after the incident, Gurung said they were unable to confirm it. Nepalese Home Ministry spokesman Gopendra Bahadur Pandey also attended the press meet but did not speak to press. According to some other reports, at least 18 Nepalese security personnel have been killed in the clash that erupted overnight in Beni Bazaar, Myagdi on Saturday night. The reports said that 18 security personnel, including 11 police men and 7 RNA soldiers have been killed. Three bodies of the Maoists have also been recovered. Officials at the District Development Committee Baglung, which is some 15 kilometers away from Beni Bazaar said that backup forces of the RNA have chased away the Maoists. They said hundreds of Maoists were seen firing shots from nearby hills. Six military helicopters have been sent to the area carrying back-up forces. Sources quoted Beni locals as saying that gunfire and explosions were heard until 11:0 a.m. The entire Beni Bazar remains choked in smoke, they said. The Maoist first raided the Myagdi District Jail at 11:0 pm and then attacked District Police Office, the District Administration Office, and District Development Office. Before attacking the district headquarters, the militants had blocked the highway. Some Maoists who ran away after the attack clashed with RNA troops at Karkikot area of Baglung. Three militants were killed in the incident. In fact, Nepal had recently recruited 6,400 men, mainly to tackle anti-insurgency, taking the Nepalese Army`s strength to 70,000. Maoists have been struggling to establish a Communist style government in Nepal replacing the constitutional monarchy. More than 8,500 people have been killed in the insurgency since 1996. 2160/216 End
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