Monday, February 27 2006 12:06 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Kathmandu: At least 16 Maoists were killed and 11 soldiers injured in a clash between the rebels and security forces in Palpa district of western Nepal.

Fierce fighting broke out between the Maoists and security forces at Baldhengadi and Satyabati areas of Palpa district, 250 km west of Kathmandu, when the forces launched an operation to flush out the rebels yesterday afternoon as part of their anti-terror campaign, Royal Nepalese Army spokesman Nepal Chand Bhushan said today (Feb 27 2006).

The Maoists have suffered heavy causalties in the clash which continued till late last night, he said adding security forces recovered a Self-Loaded Rifle, a Sub-Machine Gun and three .303 guns from the site during a search operation.

The Maoists were driven away from the area as the security forces intensified search operation in the forest after the clash.