There are reports of fresh clashes at Panauti in Kavre district—nearly 32 km east of capital, Kathmandu, from Monday evening.

Latest reports say a large number of heavily armed rebels mounted attacks at security posts stationed at Panauti municipality from around 8:20 p. m. this evening.

A local resident told Nepalnews over phone that both the sides had exchanged hundreds of rounds of bullets in less than half an hour. He said the rebels seemed to have targeted the municipality building, among others. There were reports of explosions also.

The latest clash is taking place just two days ahead of the municipal polls slated on Wednesday.

There were no immediate reports of casualty on either side.

Reports said there were explosions in Dhulikhel—the district headquarters of Kavre and Banepa municipality this evening.

Details were not immediately available.

Only last week, the rebels had mounted a major attack at Tansen municipality in west Nepal. At least 11 security personnel and eight rebels were killed in the fierce overnight clashes. n