Tuesday, March 1 2005 12:46 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Kathmandu: At least 74 Maoists and three security personnel were killed in one of the fiercest gunbattle between the Nepalese Army and the rebels in two districts of western Nepal, authorities said today (Mar 1, 2005).

Seventy rebels, including their brigade commander, were killed last night when security forces launched intensified retaliatory attacks using night vision helicopters in one of their strongholds in Ganeshpur area of Bardia district, 600 km west of Kathmandu, security sources said.

The incident occurred when a group of 500-600 Maoists attacked the security forces, which reached the area to remove barricades, set up by the rebels on the highway.

The Maoists used sophisticated weapons during the battle. Security forces recovered 70 dead bodies of the rebels wearing combat dress from the area. Dozens of Maoists were also injured in the incident, the Army said.

The security forces also lost two of their personnel during the fighting, it said, adding arms and ammunition were also recovered from the site.

The death toll on the Maoists' side might be much higher as the rebels carried away many dead bodies from the site of the clash, it said.

The reported death toll is the highest of any clash, since King Gyanendra took over power on February 1 and declared emergency rule.

In another retaliatory operation, four rebels were killed at Sukhad Bazaar area of Kailali district last night, the Army said.

The rebels used long range and automatic weapons against the security base in the area.

However, intensified retaliatory attacks launched by the security forces foiled the rebels' attempt to capture the base, Nepalese Army sources said.

A policeman was killed and four Armed Police Force personnel were injured in the incident.

Two civilian women who were injured during the cross firing, were brought to Nepalgunj for treatment, they said.

Meanwhile, three wounded Maoist guerrillas, including a commander were arrested by Indian security forces while they were on their way to India for treatment, according to Radio Nepal.

They were arrested at Jaynagar while fleeing to India from southern Nepal for medical treatment, the radio said quoting local security sources.