Monday, March 20 2006 17:54 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Kathmandu: Atleast 14 people were killed, including 13 securitymen, in a dawn clash between Nepalese security forces and Maoists when armed rebels ambushed an army patrol which was clearing a road block in Kavrepalanchowk district, 65 km east of the capital.

The latest violence came a day after the Maoist rebels called off a three-week-long blockade targeting the capital and other district headquarters that had brought Nepal to a standstill for almost six days.

Violence broke out in Dapcha area at around 6 am as an army patrol was engaged in clearing a road block, suspected to have been put in place by the Maoists, which was obstructing the main water supply to the nearby village, sources at the army headquarters said.

After the rebels ambushed the patrol, a two-way clash erupted between them and the security personnel that lasted for about one and half hours in which 13 security men and one Maoist were reported killed, an army official said.

Security has been stepped up in the area and a search operation launched around the clash site.

This is the first major attack against the security forces after the Maoists raided the Thankot check post, the main entry point to the capital, situated 10 km west of here two months ago killing 12 policemen.

The movement of passenger buses, trucks loaded with essential goods and many private vehicles resumed on the major highways from today as the Maoists announced withdrawal of their blockade and strike.