Rupandehi, August 12:

Traffic resumed on the east-west Mahendra Highway today after security forces removed obstructions the Maoists had placed at the Arun Khola and Chormara areas of Nawalparasi district, spokesperson of the Number 22 brigade of the Royal Nepalese Army (RNA), Prabal Bistam, said. Bistam added that the RNA personnel also removed obstructions placed on the road at the Sunawal area of the district. One security personnel and 12 Maoists were killed in yesterday’s Nawalparasi clash that erupted when Maoists attacked the security forces deployed to clear the roadblocks laid by the Maoists on Mahendra Highway at different places Chormara, Dumkibas, Bhumahi and Gaddarkhola areas. The Maoists are yet to comment on the incident.