Reuters AlertNet - At least 14 killed in fresh Nepal clash

13 Jun 2005 13:39:36 GMT

KATHMANDU, June 13 (Reuters) - At least 14 rebels and security force members were killed in a gunbattle on Monday in Nepal, where Maoist insurgents are fighting to overthrow the monarchy and set up a single-party communist republic.

Soldiers recovered the bodies of six guerrillas after the fighting at Ghartichhap -- 100 km (60 miles) east of the Himalayan kingdom's capital, Kathmandu -- while six soldiers and two policemen were also killed, an army officer said.

'A massive search operation is under way. More rebels might have died in the fighting,' the officer said without giving details.

At least 12,000 people have died in the nine-year Maoist revolt that has plunged the world's only Hindu kingdom into turmoil.

King Gyanendra sacked the government and seized power in February, saying politicians had failed to bring peace or stability. He also imposed strict curbs on journalists reporting the conflict.

In Kathmandu, at least 50 journalists were detained and three wounded on Monday when police broke up a protest rally demanding the restoration of media freedom.

Despite the king's seizure of power, there has been no let-up in the violence.

Last week the Maoists set off a powerful landmine under a packed bus, killing 38 passengers and wounding another 72 in the worst attack on the civilians since their revolt began in 1996.

The rebels later apologised for the blast, saying they had been aiming for a passing army convoy instead." Sphere: Related Content