December 27, 2001	Thursday	Shawwal 11, 1422

KATHMANDU, Dec 26: A dozen Maoist rebels and six civilians were killed in violence around Nepal, local reports said on Wednesday, as King Gyanendra said the campaign against the insurgents was proving successful.

In the far western town of Rukum, a bomb planted by suspected Maoists went off overnight in a village development council building, leaving dead a businessman and three passers-by, the Nepali-language daily Aparhana said.

In a separate bombing in the far northwestern district of Dadeldhura, a 13-year-old and a seven-year-old were killed, local media said.

A home ministry spokesman could not immediately confirm the incidents.

Newspaper reports also said a total of 12 Maoists were killed in two encounters with security forces in their western strongholds of Rolpa and Nepalgunj.

Separately, the defence ministry said the army recovered 10,000 units of rifle ammunition in the southwestern Dang area that the Maoists had looted in an attack on a military barracks last month.

The army also found fuse wires, detonators and other explosive-making devices in the cache, the ministry said in a statement, adding that 60 people were arrested.

Earlier Wednesday, King Gyanendra saluted the armed forces in a speech broadcast over state radio.

“All sections of society admire the success you have gained in such a short period through your courage and professionalism,” Gyanendra said.

Mourning the troops who have died in the “noble effort,” the king said the armed forces “once again have the responsibility to bring the people peace and security and to maintain tranquillity in the country.”—AFP