Kathmandu, Jan 21: Nepalese security forces launched an aerial strike on a rebel rally in remote Jajarkot district, possibly killing dozens of Maoists, including top rebel leaders, official sources said today.

The Maoists attacked an army helicopter forcing the troops to launch a retaliatory attack on the large group of rebels assembled at Junga-Thapachaur to declare Karnali and Bheri zones an autonomous region on Monday, 'The Rising Nepal' daily reported quoting the sources.
A large number of Maoists were believed to have been killed during the attack.
However, senior Maoist leaders including their politburo member Krishna Bahadur Mahara, escaped the attack, media reports here said.
Some journalists and human rights activists, who were also present during the Maoist function, were also safe.
A large number of Maoists with combat dresses carrying red flags were visible from the helicopter, said a source in the army headquarters.
However, details of the casualties could not be ascertained as the weather was not clear and the incident occurred in a far-remote area, the army said.
Bureau Report