Kathmandu: Relative calm marked the start of the nine-day unilateral ceasefire announced by the Maoists during the Dussehra festival.

No major clash between security forces and the Maoist guerrillas was reported since October 2, the first day of the truce.

However, the rebels exploded bombs at a vacant police post in Nawalparasi, but there were no casualties, Radio Nepal reported.

Maoist supremo Prachanda had on September 26 issued a statement announcing that the rebels will halt military action for nine days during the festival of Vijaya Dashami or Dussehra starting from October two.

PTI