Security forces have claimed that they killed seven Maoists, including a battalion commander, in an encounter at Chormara-Arunkhola section of the Mahendra Highway on Thursday.

Belated reports today said that Maoist battalion commander Balram Regmi, section commanders Kumari Tamang, Kumar BK, Gobinda, Bibek, Asmita, Bipana were killed in the gunfight.

The incident took place when the Maoist rebels attacked security personnel who had gone there to remove the obstructions placed on the highway.