At least four Maoist insurgents were killed in an encounter with the Unified Command forces at Shri Bhimabar area in the far-western district of Baitadi Wednesday.

The Directorate of Public Relation (DPR) of the Royal Nepalese Army said the Maoists were killed in a retaliatory action this afternoon.

Security forces recovered IEDs (improvised explosive device), socket and pipe bombs and a variety of explosives from the clash site, DPR said.

Meanwhile, the Maoists have abducted dozens of villagers from Salyan district.

According to the DPR, the rebels took at least 9 villagers from each nine wards of Kotmaula, Kotbara, Sivmaula and Bafikot VDCs to an unknown location on Monday. Likewise, they abducted an Indian national from Joshipur area, Kailali district, on the same day.