September 18, 2003	Thursday	Rajab 20, 1424

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KATHMANDU, Sept 17: At least 35 Maoists and three Nepalese soldiers were killed on Wednesday when the army raided a rebel base, state radio said, in the deadliest clash since the guerillas ended a ceasefire last month.

“The bodies of 35 Maoists have been recovered. Three army men are dead and some others are injured,” state radio said.

However an army official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said 44 Maoists and six soldiers were killed in the operation in Rolpa district, 460 kilometers west of Kathmandu.

A police officer said troops and police raided a suspected Maoist hideout from three sides on Wednesday morning on suspicion that senior rebels were there. The gunbattle was continuing into the evening, the officer said.—AFP