Kathmandu, Dec 05: At least a dozen Maoist rebels were killed and two dozen others injured in latest operations by security forces in Nepal, where seven children were injured in a blast after they fiddled with a bomb lying in a field. Two civilians, including a suspected police informer, were also killed in separate attacks by Maoists in Humla and Dang districts yesterday. The security forces launched the latest operations at Rupse Bhanjyang in Mityal village of Palpa district, army sources said, adding the troops also seized 200 socket bombs, automatic weapons and logistics from the area.

Seven children, aged between four and 16, were injured when a bomb lying in a field in Bardia district in West Nepal exploded yesterday after they began playing with the cloth-wrapped object, thinking it was a ball. They were admitted to a district hospital in Gulariya, the state-run `Rising Nepal` said quoting security sources.
In Rukum district, the rebels have closed down three FM stations they had been running underground for the past six months after the security forces cordoned the area, it said. Meanwhile, a Maoist area commander has surrendered to the army at Dailekh district, saying he was "disillusioned" with terrorism, while two Maoists were arrested by security forces in Sarlahi district yesterday.
Bureau Report