Rebel attack kills 14 policemen in Nepal (Maoists - 18 dead, at least 27 wounded)

AP ^ | June 19, 2004 | BINAJ GURUBACHARYA

[Tailgunner Joe]

KATMANDU, Nepal -- Maoist rebels sprayed a police truck with gunfire after it struck a land mine in southwestern Nepal, killing fourteen policemen, officials said. Four civilians also died, while at least 27 others were wounded.

Police officials, reached by telephone, said the policemen were on patrol in the village of Dhankhola, about 250 miles southwest of the capital, Katmandu, where rebels are known to operate.

The vehicle hit the mine, and the rebels opened fire. Surviving police fired back.

A passenger bus traveling right behind the police vehicle was caught in the crossfire, and at least four civilians were killed, police said.

The battle lasted for about two hours before reinforcements reached the area. The rebels fled after government soldiers fired from army helicopters.

Police and hospital officials said 14 civilians and 13 police were wounded in the attack. Most were taken to a hospital in Nepalgunj, the nearest big town in the area. Doctors said most of those hospitalized have bullet wounds.

It wasn't immediately clear if there were any rebel causalities. Army troops have sealed the highway and were hunting for the attackers in the surrounding jungles.

Fighting between the rebels, who say they are inspired by Chinese revolutionary leader Mao Zedong, and government forces has escalated since the guerrillas withdrew from a seven-month cease-fire last August.

The rebels have been fighting since February 1996 to replace Nepal's monarchy with a communist state. The insurgency has claimed more than 9,500 lives.