Kathmandu, Nov 06: The strength of Maoists in Nepal has "significantly" reduced as the security forces killed around 900 rebels since their unilateral withdrawal from cease-fire in August, an army official said today. "We estimate that our troops have killed around 900 insurgents since they broke cease-fire on August 19," spokesman of the royal Nepalese army, Deepak Gurung, said.

"The strength of the Maoists have significantly reduced after the operations launched by the security forces," he said, adding the rebels suffered heavy casualties during the past two months. However, 168 security forces including 59 soldiers, 33 armed police force personnel and 76 civil policemen, lost their lives during the corresponding period, he said.

He said the army has proposed to establish village defence forces to launch counter attacks against the Maoists with the cooperation of local people. Gurung demanded an additional food aid for the army saying the troops needed an additional 100 to 150 calories per day to increase efficiency.

Bureau Report