Three missing soldiers come into contact

August 12, 2005
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Three Royal Nepalese Army (RNA) soldiers missing after an overnight clash in Pili of mid-western Kalikot district have come into contact.

Reports quoting RNA sources today said three army men contacted to local security bases on Thursday while about 20 securitymen are still out of contact. In the meantime, the Maoists Thursday claimed they abducted eight
more army personnel. Going by the Maoist claim, the total number of security
men taken hostage after the clash has reached 60.

During an operation carried out by reinforcement troops in search of the missing soldiers some fresh clashes occurred with the insurgents in Kalikot
on Thursday, said Brigadier General Raju KC, head of RNA’s No. 24 Brigade.
The rebels had fired shots at army troops as soon as they dropped in Tharpu
and Phaka areas, Kalikot.

About eight dead bodies of the army personnel were seen hanging on a cliff
in Pili where the deadly gunfight took place on Sunday. Quoting eyewitnesses Brigadier KC said the Maoists buried nearly150 dead bodies – most of them are believed to be Maoist fighters – on Pili Hill.