Kathmandu: In the fiercest battle between Maoists and Nepalese forces in months, at least 24 rebels and three security personnel were killed even as life came to a standstill in central parts of the Himalayan Kingdom following a two-day road block called by the ultras.

Security forces gunned down at least 16 armed Maoists at Pandaun area of Kailali district, 650 km west of Kathmandu, today (Nov 21, 2004), Nepalese Army officials said.

They were killed during a massive operation launched by the security forces in western Nepal using helicopters backed by ground forces.

More Maoists might have been killed during the gunbattle that started last mid-night and continued till today, but only 16 dead bodies have so far been recovered, an Army official said.

Meanwhile, life was crippled in Dhading, Chitawan and Nuwakot districts in central Nepal during the 48 hour road blockade called by the Maoists starting today.

Also, one rebel each were killed in Solukhumbu, Rautahat, Bardia, Dhanusha and Dhading districts in separate encounters, the army headquarters said.

In Lekhnath municipality of Kaski district three Maoist rebels were killed in the ambush trap they themselves had laid targeting security personnel, Army sources said.

Two Army personnel were killed in the ambush triggered by the Maoists at Ghariban area of Surkhet district and in a separate incident the Maoists shot dead a soldier at Bakular area of Chitawan district, they said.

Two Maoist cadres, who sustained injuries at Solukhumbu district today were carried away by their comrades.

The security forces have recovered arms and ammunition from the sites.

The clash was the fiercest since the ending on October 28 of a nine-day temporary truce between Maoist and Government forces to allow people to celebrate the festival of Dashain.