Red Heretic
12th January 2006, 20:47
Nepal Maoists launch first major attack
Source: Times of India, 12 January 2006
KATHMANDU: Maoist guerrillas in Nepal launched an offensive against security forces, attacking at least five targets, in their first major assault nine days after they resumed arms against the government.
In the daring raid at around 10.30 pm on Wednesday, a large contingent of the guerrillas stormed Dhangadi, headquarters of Kailali district in farwestern Nepal, attacking the district, town and municipal police offices as well as the district prison simultaneously, initial reports said.
As part of their diversion tactics, they also attacked the barracks of the Royal Nepalese Army.
About 10 to 15 policemen went missing after the attacks but early Thursday some of them came into contact again.
There was no immediate confirmation of the casualties.
The rebels were also said to have set up blasts in two more areas in the district, Tikapur and Sukkhad.
The insurgents had called a four-month ceasefire in September after pressure by Nepal’s major political parties, with whom they have reached an understanding, human rights organisations and the international community.
However, instead of reciprocating the truce and beginning peace negotiations, King Gyanendra, who came to power last year through a bloody coup, continued on a collision course, proceeding with arrangements to hold civic elections next month despite opposition from both the parties and the rebels.
Maoist supremo Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda announced on Jan 2 that his banned Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) was resuming arms as it was suicidal to maintain the truce in the face of mounting attacks by security forces.
Since then, the rebels have been bombing mostly municipal offices with the ill-equipped policemen bearing the brunt of their attacks.
Five personnel of the Armed Police Force have been killed so far.
Source: Times of India, 12 January 2006
KATHMANDU: Maoist guerrillas in Nepal launched an offensive against security forces, attacking at least five targets, in their first major assault nine days after they resumed arms against the government.
In the daring raid at around 10.30 pm on Wednesday, a large contingent of the guerrillas stormed Dhangadi, headquarters of Kailali district in farwestern Nepal, attacking the district, town and municipal police offices as well as the district prison simultaneously, initial reports said.
As part of their diversion tactics, they also attacked the barracks of the Royal Nepalese Army.
About 10 to 15 policemen went missing after the attacks but early Thursday some of them came into contact again.
There was no immediate confirmation of the casualties.
The rebels were also said to have set up blasts in two more areas in the district, Tikapur and Sukkhad.
The insurgents had called a four-month ceasefire in September after pressure by Nepal’s major political parties, with whom they have reached an understanding, human rights organisations and the international community.
However, instead of reciprocating the truce and beginning peace negotiations, King Gyanendra, who came to power last year through a bloody coup, continued on a collision course, proceeding with arrangements to hold civic elections next month despite opposition from both the parties and the rebels.
Maoist supremo Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda announced on Jan 2 that his banned Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) was resuming arms as it was suicidal to maintain the truce in the face of mounting attacks by security forces.
Since then, the rebels have been bombing mostly municipal offices with the ill-equipped policemen bearing the brunt of their attacks.
Five personnel of the Armed Police Force have been killed so far.