At least 100 security personnel are still missing after Maoists Sunday night attacked Sandhikarkha, the district headquarters of Argakachi 300 kms northwest of the capital, Radio Nepal said quoting security sources.
Security forces have launched a massive search and blocking operation in the area. Rebels launched the attack hours before the Teej festival celebrated with great enthusiasm by Nepali women.
The bodies of 58 security personnel and one civilian killed in the attack were handed over to their relatives in Pokhara Tuesday after post-mortem, officials said.
Rebels overnight destroyed the district forest office at Khalanga in Salyan where they also abducted a prominent businessman Suganda Rai, family said.
The resurgence of violence has revived the debate whether a national emergency that lapsed two weeks ago should again be clamped. Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba reviewed the security situation with security chiefs Monday evening after the fresh rebel attacks on Sindhuli and Argakanchi. nepalnews.com br Sept.10