75 Maoists Killed in Gun-battle with Soldiers
(September 23, 2002)

           KATHMANDU: As many as 75 Maoist rebels were killed by Nepal soldiers in separate gun-battles in the Himalayan kingdom. A Defence Ministry spokesman said 55 rebels fighting for a Communist republic were killed on Sunday, September 22, in Rukum, a Maoist stronghold in west Nepal, when troops raided guerrilla hideouts.

           Another 14 rebels were gunned down in neighbouring Rolpa, another rebel stronghold, the same day, a ministry spokesman said in a statement. The rest were killed in the east of the poverty-ravaged kingdom where the Maoist revolt to topple the constitutional monarchy began in 1996.

           There was no independent confirmation of the Government figures. The latest Government offensive came two weeks after the rebels raided two security posts, killing at least 109 soldiers. Some 100 guerrillas were killed in those attacks

Maoists Call Strike to Disrupt Nepal Polls (Go To Top)
(September 22, 2002)

          KATHMANDU: Maoist rebels have called a three-day country-wide strike beginning November 11 to disrupt general elections in Nepal, the fourth election in the country since 1991, slated to begin on November 13, if the Government continues to ignore the offer of a cease-fire.

          "The Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) has decided to launch a strong struggle against the elections," the group said in a statement. The rebels had earlier said they were ready to withdraw the protest and order a ceasefire if the Government agreed to talks to resolve the six-year-old revolt. But the Government has continuously refused talks unless they laid down arms.

       Copter with 5 Missing in Eastern Nepal (Go To Top)
(September 19, 2002)

          KATHMANDU: A private helicopter with five people on board, including one pilot and four passengers, has gone missing in eastern Nepal. According to reports, the France-made chopper, run by Karnali Air, was flying from Kathmandu to Jubu in Solukhumbhu district, where it was due to land at 10.30am (local time) on Thursday, September 19. Jubu lies near Mount Everest. A search helicopter has been ent to look for it.  

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