Himalayan News Service

Biratnagar, February 14:

At least 12 Maoists and three security personnel were killed in an encounter at Jante VDC of Morang district yesterday, RNA’s Public Relations Directorate said today.

The Eastern Regional Divisional Headquarters of the Royal Nepal Army in Itahari also confirmed the incident. Sources said security actions are going on in the area and they are yet to receive the details.

Local residents said the clash began at 8:45 am yesterday and continued till 2:00 pm.

According to an eyewitness, the bodies of 12 Maoists were seen on the clash site till the evening. The Maoists fled the area after the army launched aerial strike at 2:00 pm.

Four students were also injured in the incident, which began after the Maoists who had gathered at the Jante secondary school attacked the patrolling security forces. The injured included Nisha Limbu, Dinesh Majhi, Mahendra Rai and Devi Adhikari, teacher Bishnu Ghimire, who saw the clash, told this daily. The injured students and security personnel were airlifted to Dharan for treatment, Ghimire said.

About 200 students and teachers were present in the school when the clash took place. “They could remain unhurt, as the army locked them in a room.”