At least eight security personnel and a Maoist were killed during a clash between security personnel and Maoist rebels at Dapcha area of Kavre district to the east of Kathmandu Monday morning, according to reports.

Reports quoted the Royal Nepalese Army Brigade no. 9 in Bhakunde as saying that one-security personnel and a civilian were also injured in the incident.

The clashes took place as a team of security personnel had gone to ‘Panui Muhan’ area of Dapcha this morning to resume water supply allegedly blocked by the rebels.

However the Directorate of Public Relations (DPR) of the Royal Nepalese Army said only one dead body of a Maoist has been recovered so far and that they did not have information on causalities on the security forces.

This is the first reported clash between security personnel and rebels after the latter called off their six-day-long blockade with effect from Monday.