Kathmandu: At least 500 Maoist rebels were killed and 200 injured today (March 21, 2004) in one of the fiercest gunbattles with security forces in Western Nepal.

Eighteen security personnel also lost their lives in the gunfight that took place in Myagdi district, 450 km West of Kathmandu, Royal Nepal Army spokesman Col Deepak Gurung said at a press conference.

The encounter lasted for 12 hours, he added.

This was the highest casualty suffered by the Maoists in a single incident since the Army was mobilised in November 2001, Gurung claimed.

Launching aerial attacks, the joint teams of security forces foiled an attempt by the Maoists to capture Benibazaar, the district headquarters of Myagdi district.

Most of those killed were militants and some their commanders, Gurung said.