Monday, March 6 2006 13:22 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Kathmandu: At least five persons, including two security personnel, were killed and 103 prisoners managed to escape when Maoists launched simultaneous attacks on the district jail and other Government offices at Ilam Bazar in eastern Nepal.

A soldier, a policeman and a civilian were killed in the fighting that erupted after the Maoists attacked a number of Government buildings, including the district administrative office, prison and an army barrack last night, Army headquarter sources said.

A dozen security personnel were also injured in the fighting which continued late into the night, they said adding two bodies of Maoists were recovered during a search operation launched by the security forces after the attack.

After the Maoists attack in the District Prison, 103 prisoners have escaped. The prisoners have gone missing after the fighting, an Army official told sources.

Further search operation is being carried out in the area, he added.

The Maoists have intensified their attacks in various parts of the country after they withdrew unilateral ceasefire two months ago.