Security forces shot dead nine Maoists in fresh operations against rebels in Dang, Nuwakot and Kanchanpur districts, the Defence Ministry said.

A civilian was killed in cross firing between rebels and the security forces in Kailali Wednesday, the Ministry said. Anil Chaudhary, a child in the first grade, died Thursday when he accidentally played with a bomb left behind by rebels near his school in Deokhuri in Dang, police said.

Rebels murdered farmer Khadga Thapa at Majkot village in Tanahu Tuesday during the three-day national strike that ended Wednesday, police said.