Friday, April 8 2005 22:08 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Kathmandu: At least 50 maoists were killed as Nepalese security forces repulsed a major rebel attack on Army headquarters in Rukum district, 550 km west of capital Kathmandu.

Nearly 4,000 rebels attacked the Army camp last evening, triggering a fierce gunbattle which lasted 12 hours, Defence sources said today (Apr 8, 2005).

Bodies of 50 maoists were recovered and many more were believed to be dead, the sources said adding eight soldiers were also injured in the gunbattle.

Thirty-one guns, including one AK-47 and a few SLRs, were recovered from the rebels, they said. A massive search operation has been launched in the area after the incident.

The assault coincides with an 11-day strike called by rebels last weekend to protest against the February 1 royal takeover.