Kathmandu, Nov 17: At least seven security personnel and two Maoists were killed in separate encounters over the weekend in Nepal, where troops foiled an attempt by the rebels to blow up a bridge, official sources said today. A Maoist commander also surrendered to security forces during the period.
Three security personnel were killed in Bisharbhora area of Dhanusha district in an ambush set up by the Maoists yesterday, government-run 'The Rising Nepal' said adding two civilians were also injured in the incident.
A group of Maoists shot also dead two policemen near Bishal Hotel in Lahan, the district headquarter of Siraha district on Sunday.
In a separate incident, the rebels shot dead two policemen while they were checking a passenger bus at the Majuwa junction in Gorkha district.
The rebels, who were also travelling by the same bus, suddenly came out of the vehicle and started firing at the policemen indiscriminately. They also looted three .303 riffles from the policemen after killing them.
In Chitawan district, a group of Maoists shot and seriously injured a sub-inspector.
Two women militants attacked an army patrol with socket bombs forcing the troops to retaliate, the reports said adding the two were killed in the subsequent encounter.
Security forces recovered five bombs, weighing five kg each, under a bridge near Biratnagar in Morang district, foiling a plan to blow up the bridge. Bureau Report