Eight dead in attacks by rebels in western Nepal
(AFP)
Updated: 2006-01-25 14:32

At least three security personnel, four rebels and an Indian civilian were killed in simultaneous attacks on multiple targets by rebels in western Nepal, police said.

"A total of eight people were killed," said Bishal Thapa, a police office from Nepalgunj on the southern border with India.

"The rebels attacked about half a dozen security positions in Nepalgunj at around 8:00 pm Tuesday night," Thapa said on Wednesday.

Three security personnel were injured and are being treated in hospital, he said.

The attacks took place in the Banke district 510 kilometres (320 miles) west of the capital Kathmandu.

Officers in police headquarters in Kathmandu declined to comment on the attacks and said that they were "still awaiting details."

Rebels have attacked targets in Nepalgunj twice in recent weeks since the end of a four-month unilateral ceasefire in early January.

On January 5, they killed three armed police officers in an attack on the airport and on January 20 killed another five police officers.