Friday, April 8 2005 14:09 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Kathmandu: At least 18 maoists have been killed in a fierce gun-battle with security forces as the rebels made an abortive bid to attack the Royal Nepalese Army headquarters in Rukum district, 550 km west of Kathmandu.

The retaliatory operation was launched by security forces after the guerrillas attacked the Army camp last evening (Apr 7, 2005) Army headquarter sources said today (Apr 8, 2005).

Nearly 4,000 rebels, including their combatants, were involved in the attack and eight soldiers were also injured in the ensuing gun-battle, which lasted for over 12 hours, they said.

Eighteen guns, including automatic weapons, were recovered from the rebels, the sources said adding, a massive search operation has been launched in the area after the incident.

The battle, the fiercest seen in weeks, coincides with an 11-day strike called by rebels last weekend to protest against the February 1 royal takeover.