Kathmandu: In the continuing battle against Maoists in Nepal, 21 people, including 11 rebels and four policemen, were killed across the Himalayan kingdom, reports said on October 28.

Six Maoists were shot dead by security forces in Nawalparasi district, while in Dhanusha district, three rebels were killed when they tried to ambush a patrol party on October 27, Radio Nepal reported quoting police.

In Malakheti area of Kaliali district, six villagers were killed when they tried to repulse a Maoist attack, the report said, adding two Maoists were killed when their own socket bombs exploded.

In another incident at Biruwatar village of Gorkha district, four security personnel, including an Superindent of Police (SP), belonging to the Armed Police Force (APF) were killed when an underground bomb installed by the Maoists exploded, a release from the police headquarters said.

APF SP Surya Kumar Shrestha and three other APF personnel who were killed in the ambush trap laid by the guerrillas were on a routine patrol.

Five other security personnel who sustained injuries in the blast were airlifted to Kathmandu and are admitted to Birendra Military Hospital.

PTI