The latest reports have said at least 22 security officials were killed in the blast carried out by Maoists at Khairikhola, Banke Monday morning.

Among the victims, 21 are Armed Police Force (APF) personnel  including inspector Sher Bahadur Khadka and one civil policeman. Among 16 security men injured in the blast, 13 have been brought to Kathmandu for treatment.

Two trucks carrying APF personnel ran over an ambush planted by the Maoists at Khairikhola at around 8.45 am. Two other trucks carrying army personnel that were right behind the APF trucks however escaped the blast. Altogether 150 security personnel were traveling on four vehicles, reports said.

The Maoists had opened fire at the security forces from nearby jungles and the both the sides traded fire for nearly an hour. Casualties on the rebel side are not known but, according to reports, forces have recovered a few 303 guns from the site.