40 security men killed in mid-western Nepal
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2005-08-10 11:11

At least 40 security men were killed in clashes between security forces and anti-government guerrillas in Kalikot district in mid-western Nepal Sunday night, Royal Nepalese Army (RNA) said Tuesday.

On Sunday evening, the guerrillas launched an offensive against the security forces stationed at Pakha village, the headquarters of Kalikot district, some 700 km west of Kathmandu, RNA's Directorate of Public Relation said in a statement.

"The guerrillas brutally killed the security men by shooting them in the head after taking them under control following the overnight clashes, the statement said, adding, "The guerrillas had also mutilated some of the security men after capturing them."

About 111 out of some 180 security men who had gone missing after the clashes had come into contact while 70 others were still missing, the statement said.

More than 1,200 additional troops who were deployed from neighboring districts on Monday reached the clash site on Tuesday morning, the statement noted, adding, "The troops were able to reach the site only this morning as the guerrillas had planted landmines on the way to Pakha."

Security forces on Tuesday cordoned off entry points of Bajura, Jumla and Dailekh districts to hunt for the guerrillas and more troops have been mobilized at the clash site, according to the statement.

Some 200 security men were stationed at the base camp at Pakha village established a month ago for the construction of the Surkhet-Jumla road section of the Karnali Highway, the statement added.

A senior guerrillas' leader, Prabhaker, admitted that 22 guerrillas were killed and 45 others were injured during the clashes.

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