Kathmandu: In the bloodiest clash since the peace talks began, Nepalese soldiers killed 17 rebels in an encounter in far-East Nepal, official sources said on August 18.

On a day when the two sides began the third round of talks, Maoists on August 17 night attacked the security forces in Ramechhap district after which the troops retaliated killing 17 rebels.

"The Maoist rebels suddenly attacked the Army security patrol and in retaliation the Army also started firing," the source said.

The Army recovered three bags of socket bombs and pipe bombs, as well as stocks of foodgrains at the camp, they said.

In a separate clash, at Dolakha, 98 km North East of Kathmandu on August 17, at least seven Maoist rebels were killed and an armed police guard injured, the source said.

Local press reports, meanwhile, said the security forces of the Royal Nepal Army (RNA) destroyed a Maoist training camp near the town of Ilam, about 470 km East of Kathmandu.

PTI