Wednesday, February 1 2006 17:29 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Kathmandu: At least 20 security men, including three army personnel, were killed and over 140 were missing in overnight clashes with armed Maoists rebels in western Nepal.

The attack came hours before King Gyanendra in his message to the nation on the first anniversary of his power grab claimed that terrorism has been much contained and security situation has improved across the Himalayan Kingdom.

Hundreds of Maoists raided Tansen district headquarters of Palpa district, 300 km west of here last night. They simultaneously stormed District Headquarters, District Police Office, Army Barrack, District Land Revenue Office and District Jail killing at least 17 policemen and three soldiers, an army official said.

The attacks began around midnight and lasted until dawn today. There were 230 police officers on duty out of which least 143 security men and chief district administrator are still missing, a police official said.

Eleven security men who sustained injuries have been airlifted to Kathmandu for treatment.

"After the reinforcement of security forces reached the district, the Maoists fled the scene and the area has come under our control," the army said.

The Maoists attacked the policemen who were mostly unarmed and were deployed for conducting Municipal elections, it said.