Troops escort vehicles

DHANGADHI: Vehicles smoothly plied on Dhangadhi-Attariya-Mahendranagar road on Wednesday after the security forces provided escort to them, according to a press release issued by the RNA’s far-western division in Dipayal. Meanwhile, security forces retaliated the Maoists who had gathered in Gauji area of Kanchanpur after they hurled socket bombs at the forces. — HNS

Houses catch fire

RAJBIRAJ: Half a dozen houses were gutted when a fire broke out in Basbitti VDC of Saptari district on Wednesday, the victims said. The fire was doused with the efforts of the fire brigade, locals and security forces. — HNS

19 teams eye Everest

Kathmandu: Nineteen foreign mountaineering teams have embarked on expeditions to scale Mt Everest even as the government has not yet issued climbing permits to three Nepali Everst expedition teams, namely the Rotary Centennial Expeditions, Peace Everest Expedition and Mt Everest Expedition for Global Peace. — HNS