Kathmandu: Maoist rebels have freed 80 students they abducted last week from a school in a remote Nepalese village after imparting military training to them even as security forces continued their anti-insurgency operations across the country in which a soldier and three guerrillas were killed.

The students, kidnapped from a secondary school in Salyan district, were released by the Maoists on January 19, a senior education official of the district was quoted as saying by 'The Kathmandu Post'.

The rebels gave the students three-day intensive military training at Ratmata area of the district before setting them free, according to local security sources.

Meanwhile, a soldier was killed and five others injured seriously in an ambush by Maoist rebels in Waku area of Solukhumbu district, the Defence Ministry sources said on January 20, adding security forces shot dead two rebels in retaliatory firing.

Another rebel was killed during an encounter with security forces in Bijulikot area of Ramechhap district, they said.

Security forces recovered explosive materials and socket bombs during search operations in the district.

They also distributed 800 kg of foodgrains, recovered from terrorist hideouts in Bardiad district, to needy people.

PTI