Thursday, February 24 2005 09:56 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Kathmandu: Nepal's Army yesterday (Feb 23, 2005) said that the decision by India and Britain to halt military aid in response to King Gyanendra's seizure of power would bolster a growing Maoist insurgency.

"Nepal is fighting a war against terrorism while the US, UK and India are also fighting against terrorism and if the military assistance is stopped this means they are also helping the Maoist terrorists," said Army spokesman Brigadier General Dipak Gurung.

Gyanendra said that he sacked the Government and assumed power on February 1 to contain the Maoist insurgency, which has claimed over 11,000 lives since 1996.

India and Britain, which have regiments of the famed Nepalese Gurkha soldiers in their own Armies, said that they had halted military aid. Both countries have called on the King to restore democracy.

The United States has also called on the King to restore democracy and said on February 17 that it could "seriously consider" cutting off military aid.

"We have not yet been told officially anything about the suspension of military aid to us," Gurung said. "If it is true, it is a very unfortunate and a sad thing."