Kathmandu: Over thousand Maoist rebels launched a massive attack overnight on a Nepalese district targeting government installations and killing at least 11 security personnel while injuring about a dozen others, Defence sources said on November 15.

The attack on Army barracks, police office and administrative office, where over 500 security personnel were deployed, took place in Khalanga Bazaar area of Jumla district, 560 km west of Kathmandu, on November 14 night and lasted for several hours, the sources at the Army Headquarters said.

About 8 policemen and three Army personnel were killed and about a dozen soldiers were also injured in the attack.

However, no reports of casualty on the side of Maoists was received due to disruption in communication links.

Additional security force was sent along with a night vision helicopter to counter the attack late on November 14 night but due to unfavourable weather condition the helicopter could not land there.

Both ground and air strikes have been launched to drive away the rebels from the district headquarters, Army sources said.

PTI