KATHMANDU: The Maoists rebels and the security forces were engaged in fierce skirmishes Saturday night and Sunday morning when the rebels attacked the Gorusinge army barrack and the Armed Police Force base in Chandrauta of Kapilbastu, Royal Nepal Army source told Nepalnews.

According to the source, hundreds of rebels attacked the Gorusinge army barrack, the APF base and another police post simultaneously at around 10:45 pm Saturday and the battle persisted till 12:45 am Sunday. “The Maoists opened fire with 2-inch mortars in three different posts,” the source said.

Army night vision helicopters were dispatched twice from Nepalgunj to support the security forces in combating the rebels. No casualties have been reported from the security forces, but rebels are suspected to have been killed in the bombing by RNA helicopters.

The Maoists have taken their dead and wounded with them, the source said. However, the exact details of the casualties are yet to come.