JB PUN

The heavy attack by the Maoists in Tansen last night has left 11 security personnel and 12 Maoists dead. Out of the 143 soldiers missing, around 20 security force personnel are reported to be held captives by the Maoists who have also looted heavy cache of arms and ammunitions. Most of the government buildings have been destroyed. The Maoists did not even spare the Bal Mandir, that shelters orphaned children. Senior government officials CDO Laxman Kumar Thapa, National Investigation Department chief Shyam Parajuli and local development officer have also been held captives by the Maoist militants. There is also information that the Maoists destroyed the district prison helping 138 prisoners flee. A press statement by Prabhakar, deputy commander of western military command of the Maoist Army, said that two of their senior military leaders Anup and Mira were killed. It further claimed killing 45 security personnel.