49 policemen were killed and 21 more injured in an attack by Maoists at Bhiman area police post of Sindhuli district last night, the Home Ministry confirmed.
Police found two dead bodies of Maoists in the clash site but their casualties is much higher. Minister of State for Home Devendra Raj Kandel who visited the clash site with Inspector General of Police Pradeep SJB Rana said 70 Maoists are feared dead.
Around a 1000 to 1100 Maoists were involved in the attack, Kandel said. He also added most of the policemen were from the civil police force.
Army and police are conducting search and blocking operations in the area. Maoists were taking their dead till the morning hours, police said. The fighting last over 5 hours.
The Home Ministry confirmed that Inspector Krishna Bahadur Shrestha, one Sub-Inspector, three Assistant Sub-Inspectors, 13 head Constables and 31 Constables of the Police were killed in the brutal attack. Many of the policemen was shot dead after they were captured, the Home Ministry said.
The injured policemen were airlifted to Kathmandu this afternoon. Five policemen are in serious condition, the Home Ministry said. Maoists completely destroyed the police post and took some weapons from the Bhiman Police post, the Home Ministry said. Some injured policemen have also been taken to Janakpur, the Ministry said.
Police said that Maoists blocked the road to the police post from the district headquarters and planted landmines to prevent reinforcements from reaching there early. One security personnel was injured in an ambush while trying to reach the clash site, the Home Ministry said.
Rebels shot dead an ex-soldier in Nuwakot on Friday the Defence Ministry said. Army shot a suspect in Phulchoki above Godavari Sunday, the Defence Ministry said.