Himalayan News Service

Kavre, January 1

Two Maoists were killed and a police head constable injured when the Maoists clashed with the security forces during a search operation at Chardobato, Banepa, this evening.

Though the death of Maoists has not been independently confirmed, the injured policeman has been identified as Bishnu Bahadur Thapa of Gorkha. Thapa has sustained severe injuries with five bullets. Doctors at Shir Memorial Hospital in Banepa referred him to Kathmandu for further treatment, it is learnt.

In a separate report from Phidim, Ilam, a Maoist was killed and another injured in security operation at Gopetar of Panchami VDC-1.

Bibek Jawegu alias Akash was killed while trying to hurl a socket bomb at the patrolling security team. The security sources said the injured Maoist cadre managed to escape.

The security forces recovered wires, five socket bombs, one pressure cooker-bomb and a combat dress.

In another incident, the Maoists have torched a vehicle (Na 1 N 62) of Nepal Electricity Authority at Dudhaura Chowk of Dumarwana-9 at 3 pm today. The group of

20 Maoists had forced the vehicle that was heading to repair a transformer at Sukhalaiya, witnesses said.

In Dhading, the Maoists today torched two private vehicles on the first day of the Maoist-called bandh in Dhading, Nuwakot and Rasuwa districts.

The Maoists torched a car (Ba 1 Kha 3652) and a truck at Ranibari of Thankre VDC-3 of Dhading district at 8 am. They, however did not hurt the travellers, police said.