BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, Dec. 10:   The Royal Nepalese Army soldiers killed at least 11 Maoist terrorists in about 5-hour-long gun battle with the terrorists at Kapurkot of Salyan district Sunday night, according to a press release of Defense Ministry issued today.

The fighting had occurred after a huge number of Maoist terrorists had come to destroy the repeater station of the Nepal Telecommunication Station at Kapurkot. Two army personnel lost their lives in the successful defense of the telecommunication tower.

The casualty on the Maoist side is said to be much higher. The bodies of the 11 dead Maoists were found around the station while the Maoists carried away the bodies of other dead terrorists.

Likewise, the army’s firing at Durgamandau of Baitadi district killed five terrorists and caught two others today morning. The incident happened when, on its ongoing cordon and search operation, the army confronted a group of terrorists and they defied the army’s order to surrender. Several others Maoists fled after the army took the action said the press release.

Similarly, an army patrol of Khara of Rukum district is investigating on the 26 persons caught with parts of weapons and ammunitions loaded on 9 mules. They are suspected to be involved in the attack at the NTC’s repeater station at Ratmate of Rolpa Saturday night.

The security forces, during their search operation in Baglung, have come upon a domestic factory used for making impoverished weapons and bombs and arrested three persons suspected to be terrorists. The soldiers also found a huge quantity of home-made weapons, pistols made in the factory, bullets used in different types of weapons, various chemicals used in making bombs.

There were also equipment used for making weapons and bombs, combat dresses, medicines and food from the factory. The security forces are investigating on those arrested.

In another incident on Sunday, the security forces in their search at Dhanapokhara of Lamjung district have found a .303 rifle, one telescope-mounted rifle, bullets of different weapons, binocular and documents and audiocassettes from the house of Khagendrajung Gurung. The security forces also arrested five suspected Maoist terrorists from the house.

The Ministry has also lauded the bravery of the soldiers, who had foiled the Maoists attack at the NTC’s repeater station at Kapurkot and prayed the Almighty for the peace of those who died while serving the country and condoled their families.