Maoist Rebels Kill 56 in Nepal Attacks
Maoist rebels fighting to topple Nepal’s constitutional monarchy attacked two remote towns, killing at least 56 security personnel and dimming prospects for talks to end a six-year insurgency.
The fighting broke out Thursday night, just hours after a top official reiterated that the government was working to start a dialogue in response to the rebel leader’s latest offer to talk peace.
In Khalanga, 375 miles northwest of the capital, Katmandu, the assault began before midnight and lasted until daybreak.
The bodies of 30 police and three soldiers were later recovered, an army officer said, adding that casualty figures could be much higher.
In a separate attack Thursday night in northwestern Nepal, rebels killed 23 policemen at a police station in Tarkokat.
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