Kathmandu, Dec 01: In latest anti-insurgency operations, Nepalese security forces gunned down 12 Maoist rebels across the country, the defence ministry said today.

The rebels were killed during the search operations carried out by the security forces in Ilam, Lamjung, Bajura and Kailali districts, the ministry said.
The security forces recovered guns, pistols, plastic grenades, socket bombs and improvised mines from the sites, it said.

Maoists rebels have been fighting for a Communist Republic in Nepal since 1996.

Home minister Dharma Bahadur Thapa has said that the government is ready to initiate peace talks with the guerillas and asked them to send formal proposal for dialogue.
Bureau Report