Monday, January 2 2006 14:59 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Kathmandu: The leader of Nepal's Maoist rebels today (Jan 02, 2006) officially ended a four-month unilateral truce and pledged to resume attacks, despite pleas from political parties and the United Nations.

"The four-month ceasefire which we extended has come to an end", the rebel leader Prachanda, or the Fierce One, said in a statement.

"We want to make it clear our future actions will be targeted against the autocratic regime. We are compelled to go offensive not only for the sake of peace and democracy but for the sake of self-defence".