Two top Maoist leaders were among over 80 rebels killed as security forces stepped up their land and air offensive against the guerrillas who last week broke a four-month ceasefire with a string of attacks on army and police.
Chief Maoist negotiator and deputy chief of the parallel Maoist government, Krishna Bahadur Mahara and main guerilla trainer Ram Bahadur Thapa (Badal) have been killed in the operations in Rolpa and Jajarkot districts alongwith some of their men, intelligence sources said.
Nepal Samacharpatra, a national daily reported that more than 80 rebels were killed Friday night in the two districts.
A Defence Ministry release was silent on the casualties but said a large number of terrorists were killed when army fired directly from helicopters on large groups of armed militants in the forests of Jajarkot and Rolpa.
It said a large number of casualties was observed by army men from the helicopter but the number of deaths could not be estimated.
Security personnel have also seized a large quantity of arms and ammunitions after engaging in exchange of fire with Maoists in several other parts of the country.
Nepal Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba Friday vowed to crush the Maoists and ruled out peace talks with them.
With reports of rebels taking shelter in hotels, lodges, and rented houses, the Home Ministry has asked the general public to immediately inform the police if they come across any such cases.
Bureau Report
