Over 100 inmates escape in Ilam after the Maoist attack (news update)

March 6, 2006
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Officials have said over 100 inmates at the District Prison in Ilam have escaped following overnight Maoist attacks at the district headquarters on Sunday.

They said some of the inmates have come into contact. It was not immediately known how many of the inmates were Maoist activists.

At least one policeman and one rebel were killed and over a dozen security personnel were injured during a major Maoist attack in Ilam Bazaar, the district headquarters of eastern district of Ilam, on Sunday night, according to police sources.

Preliminary reports said two more civilians also died during the clashes. Details are still awaited.

Eye witnesses said over one thousand rebels launched coordinated attacks on key government installations including the District Administration Office and the District Police Office from around 9:30 p.m. that lasted till 4.00 a.m. on Monday morning.

The security forces and the Maoists were engaged in fighting in different parts of the town, reports said. Security sources said the casualty on the part of the rebels could have been higher during the close battle.

The rebels also engaged the Royal Nepalese Army personnel by attacking at the RNA base in the district headquarters.

The rebels had attacked and freed over 170 inmates after raiding the district prison at Dhangadhi in far-western Nepal last year.