Nepalese Army launches operation against Maoists
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
New Delhi, June 25, IRNA -- The Dhankuta-based battalion of the Royal Nepalese Army (RNA) has initiated several operations in nine districts of eastern Nepal, the media reported here on Friday. The RNA said it will concentrate on destroying Maoist bases and training camps in the eastern districts of Sankhuwasabha, Ilam, Taplejung, Jhapa, Morang, Dhankuta and Sunsari. According to Brigadiar General Annata Kumar Thebe, the army will also try to free abducted students and civilians. Thebe added that the army has already destroyed two Maoist training centers. Meanwhile, Maoist rebels Thursday morning shot and killed two Armed Police Force (APF) personnel and a civilian in Sanfebagar of Achham district. The rebels, who control 40 of Nepal`s 75 districts and who were hiding behind a bush by the Budhiganga bridge, ambushed the APF personnel on a security patrol, reports said. Another APF personnel and a 12-year-old-boy was injured in the shooting. More details of the incident are yet to come. New Delhi has been helping Kathmandu with military supplies, but its focus has been more on training assistance to officers of the Nepalese Army. It has been learned that the number of vacancies allotted to Nepalese officers for military courses in India has been doubled. In fact, Nepal has recently recruited 6,400 men mainly to tackle the anti-insurgency problem. The recruitment has raised the Nepalese Army`s strength to 70,000. India has also helped the Nepal Army with Rs 2 billion worth of arms and ammunition last year. Maoists have been struggling to establish a Communist-style government in Nepal to replace the constitutional monarchy. More than 10,000 people have been killed in the insurgency since 1996. 2160/2321/1432 Fri 2004-06-25
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