The eastern headquarters of the Royal Nepali Army has requested that civilians not attend Maoist mass meetings and rallies because it claims to have begun a massive aerial and ground operation against the rebels. "We want no civilian casualties," said Major Bindu Gautam. "We are alerting the people because we have intensified our operation against the rebels in the eastern region." The army officer said as a result of the intensified operation, 14 rebels had been killed in the past week. During that time, one rebel was arrested and four others surrendered. The rebels who were killed were from Siraha, Okhaldhunga and Sunsari districts. The arrested Maoist is said to be 77-year-old Panchalal Rai, who worked as a vice-chief of the \'people's government' and advisor for the rebels in Dhankuta. Army officials said Rai was released in the presence of human rights activists and journalists.