Heavy casualties on both sides are feared in the second clash in 24 hours between Maoists and security forces in Argakachi district headquarters overnight, security forces said Monday. At least 125 security personnel (civil police and army) and 25 civilian were killed in Sandhikharka, the district headquarters of Arghakhachi, a police source said.

Thousands of rebels attacked an army barrack, the office of the armed police and the civilian district post post of the civilian police. Rebels began the attack at 10 PM Sunday night and the fighting continued until 4 AM Monday, security sources said.

Police are trying to establish communications in Sandhikharka. The Maoists destroyed the telecommunications tower in the district, hence the lack of communications, security forces said. All government offices were destroyed in the attack.

Maoists have kidnapped some police and army personnel, a security source said. There are dead bodies of Maoist rebels in the site but the number of their casualties is not yet clear.

Security forces Monday launched counterattack against the rebels in an around Sandikarkha, security forces said. Twenty-one injured have been evacuated by helicopter to Pokhara and Kathmandu for treatment.

Maoists killed 49 policemen and injured 21 others in an attack in Sindhuli Saturday night.