HEADLINE NEWS THE RISING NEPAL (DAILY)

Operation launched to search, destroy Maoist shelters

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, Dec. 23: The security forces have started ‘search and destroy’ operation from Saturday to trace and destroy the shelters, hideouts and training centres of the Maoist terrorists located in the hills and jungles across the country.

The Defence Ministry in its press release issued today said the security forces in course of their operation Saturday traced and destroyed three caves in Sailungeshwor Village Development Committee of Dolakha district that the Maoists terrorists had been using for hiding and training.

Under the cordon and search operation, the security forces arrested 32 suspects from various parts of the country on Saturday: 12 from Dhanusa’s Godar, nine from Banke’s Baijapur, six from Sindhupalchok’s Tinghare, two from Kaski’s Budhibajar, and one each from Rolpa’s Dahaban, Salyan’s Khalanga and Rolpa’s Jhenam.

They also seized 16 guns and explosives and recovered other equipment looted by the terrorists from the police from Darchula’s Khar VDC. They also seized parts of guns and recovered police dresses that were looted from Rolpa’s Jhenam.

The security forces defused three banner bombs placed at Lalitpur’s Iti Tole.

Meanwhile, a group of armed terrorists have seriously injured Tulsi Rai, chairman of the Chapagaun VDC of Nuwakot Saturday night. Police said the terrorists took Rai about 500 metres away from his home and beat him up, leaving him bruised and with broken legs. Rai has been admitted to Trishuli Hospital for treatment. After the incident local people gathered and chased the terrorists away.

The Defence Ministry said today that three soldiers died in the line of duty when a vehicle of the joint security forces returning after their operation in different parts of Lamjung district fell into a trap laid down by Maoist terrorists at Salang Khola near Besisahar. One soldier died on the spot while two others, who were heli-lifted to Kathmandu, died at the Birendra Military Hospital. Other injured personnel are undergoing treatment at the same hospital.

One Maoist terrorist, who put up the ambush, also died in the encounter with the armymen. Further damage caused to Maoists is being assessed, said the Defence Ministry statement.

In other developments, tired of the terrorist activities and excesses, people have started uniting to fight back with the Maoists. Residents of Agrigaon of Surkhet district have come out in the thousands and vowed to retaliate against the Maoists after the terrorists kidnapped their VDC chairman.

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