In the biggest rebel attack on the police in recent months, Maoists at midnight Saturday killed at least 40 policemen, and injured 19 others in an attack on Bhiman police outpost in Sindhuli 100kms south east of the capital, police said.
Fourteen others are missing in the attack on the outpost 18 kms from district headquarters. Five of the injured have been rushed to the Birendra Military Hospital in the capital for treatment. Many rebels are also feared dead, police said.
Maoists used automatic weapons in the attack. Police and rebels exchanged gunfire for more than five hours until 5.30 AM.
“Additional forces are trying to reach the scene of the clash. Our forces are clearing roadblocks to reach the site,” said Assistant Inspector of Police of district police office of Sindhuli Rajdev Yadav over telephone.
Reinforcements have been sent from Hetauda and other places. Janamorcha district president Ram Kumar Paudel said 59 policemen may have have been killed. An army helicopter lifted the injured from the site.
Police are mobilizing private buses to carry the injured.