Maoist rebels divide soldiers' attention

Thousands of protesters defied a daytime curfew in the Nepali capital. Pictures / Reuters

KATHMANDU - At least five Maoist rebels and a Nepalese soldier were killed when hundreds of rebels stormed an eastern town overnight, the Army said yesterday, as a fresh curfew was clamped on the capital to thwart anti-royal protests.

Sunday night's attack by the insurgents - fighting to overthrow the Nepalese monarchy since 1996 - was among the biggest in nearly three weeks since a mass pro-democracy campaign erupted across the impoverished Himalayan kingdom.

The attack may have been designed to increase pressure on King Gyanendra and engage security forces already struggling to quell protests around the country, analysts say.

It took place in Chautara, about 100km east of Kathmandu, when the rebels attacked a police station, district administration office, a telecommunications tower and a jail in the town, authorities said.

"We have found bodies of five Maoists in combat dress. One soldier also died," an Army officer told Reuters.

He added that four civilians had been wounded in the crossfire.

"We have foiled their attempt to overrun the town."

A Reuters reporter on his way to the area said the rebels had blocked the road about 30km short of Chautara with fallen trees and boulders, apparently to prevent troops from rushing in reinforcements.

District authorities had requested helicopter support and reinforcements, one official said, while some locals near the area said the fighting could still be going on.

News of the attack came as an alliance of seven political parties vowed to hold more anti-King protests for the 19th consecutive day and bring hundreds of thousands of people on to the streets of Kathmandu for a major rally today.

"We are preparing for a massive rally, to fill the entire ring road with people," said Kashinath Adhikary, an official from the Communist Party of Nepal, the country's second-biggest political party.

Although the 27km ring road lies within the curfew zone, large stretches are in the hands of the protesters, with burning logs and tyres blocking access to security forces.

Nepal's main political parties entered a loose alliance with Maoist rebels to end royal rule last November.

The rebels, who control vast swathes of the countryside, seek to establish a communist republic.

Maoists are demanding elections for a special assembly to write a new constitution and curb the King's powers, a demand which the political parties have taken up.

- REUTERS