The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on Tuesday handed over three civilians and one policeman abducted by the Maoists following the attack at the police post in Dadhikot on January 14.

A press statement issued by the ICRC said that the Maoists released and handed them over to the ICRC on Monday.

“The release operation took place in Kavrepalanchowk. The ICRC conducted the operation in accordance with its standard procedures,” the statement said.

From 2001 to 2005, the ICRC has handed over 192 detainees, who had been captured and released later by the CPN (M), to state authorities on various occasions. In 2005 alone, it facilitated the release of 91 detainees, who had been held by the Maoists, the statement added.

One sub-inspector of Police, Hari Prasad Sharma Wagle, was killed and seven more police personnel were injured when the Maoists raided the police post.