The army shot dead 13 Maoists in continuing operations in five districts Tuesday and Wednesday, the Defence Ministry said Thursday. Four rebels were killed at Purano Gaon in Pyuthan in a shoot-out Tuesday, the Ministry said.

Three rebels each were shot dead in Sunsari and Kailali Wednesday. District committee member Om Prakash Dhakal alias Bishal, Pabat Koirala alias Ananta and Bikram Bhattarai alias Tadebhai were killed in Sunsari and Arjun, Saaman and Manjit were killed in Kailali, an official said.

One rebel was killed in Kalikot and two others in Banke Wednesday. Security forces during searches have recovered bodies of 59 rebels, including some headless corpses, following a rebel attack at district headquarters of Argakanchi indicating senior commanders were killed in this week’s vicious  attack on Sanphebaghar, the Defence Ministry said.

The army recovered pistols, socket bombs, bullets, equipment to lay ambushes, NRs.111,362, IRs 2,220, explosives, arms and cameras from Kailali, Pyuthan, Kalikot and Banke.

Rebels overnight killed Nepali Congress party activist Hari Ram Tharu at Bartaman village in Bardia, the party said. Insurgents Wednesday night attacked and damaged the home of former minister of state Bhakta Bahadur Rokaya at Mahat in Jumla, police said.

Maoists Tuesday and Wednesday continued their attacks on village district development committee buildings in Kavre and Sindhupalchowk districts where they bombed the home of former minister Netra Bikram Thapa of the panchayat era, local officials said.

Rebels Tuesday bombed the home of spokesman of the Deuba Congress Hom Nath Dahal in Okhaldungha, family said.