Maoists, security forces exchange fire

With only a week left before the unilateral ceasefire declared by the CPN (Maoist) expires, security forces and Maoists have exchanged fire at Chitrebhanjyang area in the western district of Syangja on Friday. There were no reports of casualties on either side.

Reports quoted security sources as saying that the security team on patrol retaliated after a group of armed rebels opened fire at them. The exchange of fire continued for nearly 15 minutes, according to locals.

The unilateral ceasefire announced by the Maoists comes to an end next Friday (Dec. 2).

In a separate incident, Maoist rebels seized 10.5 tons of rice from a truck at Ratmate VDC along Hetauda-Birgunj section of Mahendra highway on Friday. They released the vehicle later.

In yet another incident, Maoist rebels freed a Royal Nepalese Army soldier, Sudhir BK, after keeping him into custody for three days. The rebels handed over BK to a group of local journalist and human rights activists in the far-western district of Dadeldhura, reports said. nepalnews.com by Nov 26 05