Two way gun battle between the Maoist rebels and security forces has stopped in the far-western town of Dhangadhi, reports said.
According to latest reports, two way gun battle ensued for around one hour in the far-western town after the Maoist rebels tried to mount simultaneous attacks at a number of security installations in Dhangadhi from around 7:30 p. m. Wednesday.
Click to enlarge
Local security sources said they did not have details about casualties on the either side. They said the situation was under control and that they had foiled the Maoist attempt to overrun security outposts in the town.
The latest Maoist offensive came just a day after the rebels attacked a number of security-related offices in the mid-western town of Nepalgunj.
At least eight persons– including three security personnel, a civilian and four rebels– had been killed during clashes in Nepalgunj late Tuesday.
Meanwhile, security sources in Kathmandu claimed that the rebels were targeting major municipalities in the far-western region to terrorise local people ahead of the municipal polls slated on February 8.
“They can’t engage in a close battle with security forces. So, they have retreated after their failed attempt to overrun security outposts,” they said.
The rebels are yet to comment on their latest offensive in Nepalgunj and Dhangadhi.
Addressing a mass meeting at Musuriya in far-western district of Kailali on Wednesday, a regional leader of Maoists had warned that they would continue targeting municipalities in the region, according to reports.