Three army men were killed during a clash between security forces and the Maoists at Dhurkot area, the border of Nawalparasi and the Palpa district on Tuesday night.

Officials at the Directorate of the Public Relations (DPR) of Royal Nepalese Army (RNA) said that the clash that erupted at around 12 Tuesday night continued till early morning on Wednesday.

He informed that the security forces launched a massive search operation in the area.

Security forces suspect heavy casualties on the rebel side.

The Maoists fled when a night vision helicopter of the RNA arrived, the DPR added.