Kathmandu, Jan 06: Nepal has received the first consignment of 3,000 sophisticated M-16 rifles, provided by the us as part of the 17-million dollar American assistance to the Himalayan kingdom in its fight against Maoist terror, army sources said today. The consignment carried by a special cargo plane landed at Tribhuwan International Airport here yesterday, they said adding the US has pledged to provide another 2,000 M-16 assault rifles and other military hardware to modernise the royal Nepal army.

The M-16 can fire up to 30 rounds non-stop within the range of 300 to 350 metres.

The two countries signed an agreement to this effect last year. The agreement provides for 17-million dollars us assistance to Nepal along with training for its military and help in rehabilitation of victims of insurgency.

Belgium has also committed to provide 5,500 Minimi machine guns, they said.

India has granted permission to fly aircraft carrying arms to Nepal over its sky.

The Nepalese army says it is currently ill-equipped to fight Maoist insurgency with its self-loaded rifles and light machine guns that are being used now.

Some 7,800 people have been killed in the seven-year long insurgency by Maoists, who aim to topple constitutional monarchy and multi-party democracy in the country. Bureau Report