September 29, 2003	Monday	Sha’aban 2, 1424

KATHMANDU, Sept 28: At least 22 people have died in weekend clashes between Nepalese rebels and government troops, Nepalese media reported on Sunday.

The dead include 18 rebels, one soldier and a civilian, reports said. Fighting broke out over the weekend in the Himalayan kingdom after peace talks were called off last month.

A government official died on Sunday after he was shot by alleged Maoist rebels and a 95-year-old woman died on Saturday during a bomb attack in the central Nepalese town of Janakpur, while 12 rebels also died on Saturday in a shootout.—dpa