Kathmandu: In stepped up crackdown against Maoist insurgents, 55 rebels have been killed by government troops during the latest security operations in Nepal, Defence Ministry sources said on October 17.

Sixteen armed rebels were killed in Sarlahi district in Central Terai on October 16 in an encounter between the Maoists and the security forces, the Ministry said.

In another encounter with security forces, 25 rebels were killed in Achham district in West Nepal.

Seven Maoists were killed in Dang district, three in Ilam, two in Mahottari and one each in Chitawan and Kapilvastu districts, they said.

However, no damage was caused to security forces in these clashes, the sources said, adding three pistols, one gun, 11 grenades, 150 sleeping bags and 75 combat dresses were recovered from these sites.

Over 500 Maoist rebels have been killed during various security operations since the insurgents unilaterally withdrew from their ceasefire with the Nepalese government in the middle of August.

PTI