Reports from far-western town of Dhangadhi say there have been clashes between Maoist rebels and security personnel in Dhangadhi Wednesday evening.

A journalist based in Dhangadhi told Nepalnews over phone that he could hear sounds of firing at number of places including the Regional Police Office, District Police Office, Rastriya Banijya Bank local branch and regional office of Nepal Rastra Bank, among others.

He said firings started at around 6:40 p.m. People here are terrified and many others have been stranded while on their way back home, he said.

There have been reports of explosions also. There were no immediate reports of casualty on either side.

Meanwhile, sources at the Royal Nepalese Army (RNA) headquarters in Kathmandu denied the reports of Maoist offensive in Dhangadhi. “The Maoists are known to have opened fire from nearby hills. But no such clash took place. Situation is quite normal there,” a senior RNA official told Nepalnews.

Details are being awaited.