About 50 armed Maoists torched a helicopter of the Karnali Air shortly after it landed at Jubu in Solokhumbu district and abducted the pilot and a passenger to an unknown destination Thursday, Tribhuvan International Airport officials said.

The rebels stormed the helicopter after it landed and abducted the pilot and passengers. Indra Bahadur Gurung was abducted along with the pilot of the Karnali Air AS350 helicopter to an unknown destination.

A rescue has been launched to trace them, airport officials said. The rebels released passengers Suresh Gurung, Purna Bhujel and Mrs. Krishna Kumari Gurung. Karnali Air earlier said all passengers had Gurung surnames.

Maoists attacked civilian helicopters in the past, but this is the first time they have taken a pilot and passenger hostage as they step up attacks nation-wide ahead of the November 13 vote.

Maoists have been campaigning for a poll boycott as they call for talks to end the hostilities.