Kathmandu, Oct 06: Suspected Maoist rebels destroyed a bridge on the route to the world's third largest mountain Kanchenjunga in a new violation of a nine-day holiday truce called by the guerrillas, police said today. Rebels yesterday cut the cords of the suspension bridge connecting the far eastern Taplejung and Terhathum districts, sending it crashing into the Tamur river, a police officer said.
"This could create a big handicap to trekkers heading to mount Kanchenjunga," a police officer said by telephone. The bridge lay on a main trekking route to Kanchenjunga, which stands 8,586 meters high on the border between Nepal and the Indian state Sikkim.

The Maoists had declared an October 2-10 truce to mark the Hindu kingdom's biggest festival Dasain. State radio said seven Maoists were nonetheless killed on Friday in clashes with troops around the kingdom.
The rebels have not confirmed any violations of the temporary ceasefire. They had warned they would cut the truce short if the army violated it.

Bureau Report