Latest reports say security personnel and Maoist rebels clashed at Sunwal ward no. 4 in western terai district of Nawalparasi along the Mahendra highway Thursday afternoon.
According to security sources, clashes took place as Maoist rebels opened fire at a group of security personnel who were trying to clear obstructions along the highway placed by the rebels.
Rebels opened fire at the security personnel from the north-east side of Ramapur forest and gun battle continued for around two hours, according to reports.
There were no immediate reports of casualties on either side, but reports said at least three civilians were injured in the cross-firing.
The Sunwal section of the highway remains blocked even after the withdrawal of the ‘Nepal bandh’—the nationwide shutdown strike—from Thursday.
The underground CPN (Maoist) had called for the week-long nationwide strike beginning last Sunday as part of its strategy to disrupt polls but announced on Wednesday that it had decided to call it off from today “as its objectives had been fulfilled.”