Kathmandu: Stepping up their offensive against the Maoists, security forces have killed 36 rebels in separate clashes over the weekend in Nepal, where four security personnel were killed, official sources said.

Seven Maoists were killed in Bajhang district and two killed in Kailali district during separate counter attacks by the security forces on yesterday (November 9), Government-run Gorkhapatra daily said quoting security sources.

Two rebels were killed in a retaliatory attack in Halautha area of Bhojpur district yesterday, Radio Nepal said.

In separate encounters, seven rebels were killed in Dhanusha district, six in Ramnagar village of Mahottari district, one in Hattisaruwa area, two in Sarlahi district while two rebels were killed in retaliatory attack in Halautha area of Bhojpur district yesterday, the daily said.

Similarly three rebels were killed in Banke district, two in Panchthar district and one each in Arghakhachi, Ilam, Dang, Sankhuwasabha, and Sindhupalchowk districts, the daily said quoting defence ministry sources.

The sources said two security personnel were killed in an ambush trap laid by the rebels in Betini village of Bhojpur district.

Another two security personnel, who were injured during a Maoist attack in Milanchowk area of Parsa district last week, succumbed to injuries, the daily said.

Meanwhile, two women militants surrendered before security forces in Rugin village of Bajura district.

PTI