Kathmandu, Feb 11: Security forces in south-eastern Dhanusha district shot dead at least two Maoist rebels in an encounter this morning, police said. The shooting took place at Uma Prempur village in Dhanusha district, about 140 kilometres south east of the capital, officials said. In a separate incident, security forces killed a Maoist rebel in Rautahat district in southern Nepal when they opened fire on a group of rebels preparing to detonate a landmine. The rebels apparently meant to detonate the mine so it destroyed a vehicle carrying security personnel and Maoist rebels who earlier surrendered to authorities, the radio reported, quoting officials. The Maoists are known to step up their attacks on the eve of the anniversary of their insurgency which started in February 1996.

The Maoists want to set up a ''real'' Communist Republic in Nepal, they have said in statements. The insurgency has claimed an estimated human 9,000 lives.

Bureau Report