Two way gun battle has ensued in Nepalgunj—a major administrative and business center in the mid-western region—Tuesday evening after the Maoist rebels mounted attacks on key security installations in the city.
According to latest reports, attacks resumed at around 8:15 p. m. and was going on till 10:00 p. m.
Madhu Panthi, a human rights activist affiliated to Informal Sector Service Center (INSEC) told Nepalnews over phone that he could hear sounds of bomb blasts and firing from various directions of the city.
He said fighting was going on at the District Police Office, regional office of Nepal Rastra Bank, District Prison, and Ward Police Office, among others. He said half a dozen opposition activists, who were detained during pro-democracy demonstrations in Nepalgunj, are being kept at the District Police Office that is under attack. Reports say the rebels may have tried to break the prison to let their comrades free.
Panthi said security had been reinforced at the District Police Office and District Administration Office after the rebels threatened that they would attack Nepalgunj.
He said he had heard sounds of series of explosions around the town. “People here are terrified. It is too dangerous to go out,” he added.
Reports said the rebels have also engaged security personnel at a local army barrack and Zonal Police Office, among others.
In its evening transmission, BBC Nepali Service reported that sounds of gunfire and bomb explosions could be heard all around the town. A BBC correspondent in Nepalgunj feared that civilians may have been caught in the crossfire. He said there were no reports of any casualty as yet and that authorities had not provided any details.
Details are likely to come up by Wednesday morning.
Last Friday, at least six policemen were killed when Maoist rebels had attacked two police check posts in Nepalgunj. Three policemen were killed in the raid at a police post at B .P. Chowk at around 6:00 p.m. while three policemen were killed at Jamunaha police post near the Nepal-India border around the same time.
Policemen had then fled to India, along with their arms, for safety, according to reports .