Saturday, April 8 2006 12:14 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Kathmandu: Stepping up their offensive, Maoists raided various government installations in western Nepal leading to a fierce overnight gunbattle with government troops which left nine rebels and three security personnel dead.

More than a 1,000 armed Maoists simultaneously attacked the Army barrack, Police training centre and Area Police Office in Butawal Municipality of Rupandehi district, 250 km west of Kathmandu late last night, the Defence Ministry said in a statement today (Apr 8, 2006).

The rebels also attacked various security bases and a prison in Taulihawa in Kapilvastu district. Launching a retaliatory operation, the security forces foiled their attempt to cause a big loss of life and property, the ministry said.

Nine bodies of the rebels were recovered from the site after the fighting, it said. On the security forces' side, two soldiers and one policeman lost their lives.

Many other Maoist guerillas might have also been killed or injured in the fighting, it said. Search operation is still on in the area to hunt the Maoists who fled the scene after the reinforcement of security forces.