October 16, 2003	Thursday	Sha'aban 19, 1424

KATHMANDU, Oct 15: At least 35 Maoist rebels and two police guards were killed on Wednesday in several armed clashes in Nepal, army sources said.

“At least 20 Maoists were killed in an exchange of fire between the army security and Maoist rebels at Sodasa locality in Achham district 390 kilometres west of Kathmandu,” said an army official.

Another seven guerillas were killed by the army in the southwestern Dang district.

Four rebels were killed in the western Salyan district and four in Wadula in the eastern Khotang district, the officials added.

Meanwhile, a police source said two policemen were killed and one seriously injured during a rebel attack in Duhabi in Sunsari district, 290 kilometres far southeast of Kathmandu.

The rebels killed in Achham and Dang district are believed to be part of the group that attacked a police training camp on Sunday night in Bhaluwang village in Dang, which left 25 rebels and 16 police dead.—AFP