KATHMANDU - At least 33 Maoist rebels were killed in clashes with security forces in separate incidents in Nepal between Friday and Sunday, the military said Monday.
"At least 33 Maoist rebels were killed in clashes with security forces in separate incidents in Nepal between Friday and Sunday," a press release from the army headquarters said Monday.
"At least 30 rebels were killed in clashes with security forces at Sandhikharkha in Arghakhanchi district on Friday," the press note said Monday.
Arghakhanchi is 310 kilometres (193 miles) west of Kathmandu.
"In the clashes, some rebels were also injured," it said.
"Some of the dead bodies and injured rebels were carried away by their colleagues," it said.
"After the clashes, the security forces recovered pipe bombs, socket (homemade) bombs and equipment and materials used for setting up electric ambushes, from the clash site, left behind by the fleeing rebels," it said.
"While three rebels were killed in Amrod area in Nawalparasi district (south west of here) on Sunday when they clashed with security forces," it said, adding there were no government casualties.
The rebels have been fighting for a communist republic in Nepal since 1996 and the uprising has so far claimed more than 11,000 lives.
03/07/2005 14:41 GMT