Himalayan News Service

Dang, February 21

The security forces and the Maoists clashed near Surai River, at the border of Dang and Kapilvastu, throughout the day today.

No casualty has been reported in the clash that began at 11 am but the blockade of the the Mahendra Highway left thousands of passengers stranded at Chandrauta of Kapilvastu and Lamahi, Bhaluwang and Kalakate of Dang, SP at the Armed Police Force Training Centre, Bhaluwang, Sushil Shrestha said.

According to security sources, the Maoists clashed with the army patrol from Gorusinghe, which had gone there in a tip off that the Maoists were setting an ambush.

The Maoists had started firing when the forces reached near Surai river that separates Shivagadhi of Kapilvastu and Gobardahi of Dang. Additional force from Bhaluwang has been deployed to the site of clash.

The vehicles have been stopped at Chandrauta of Kapilvastu and Lamahi, Bhaluwang and Kalakate of Dang. The traffic had not resumed till late in the evening.