At least 19 soldiers and police were killed in Nepal and dozens missing after Maoist rebels launched an overnight raid on a major town in the west of the country, an army officer said today.
The army earlier said three soldiers were killed in the attack on Palpa town, 300 kilometres west of Kathmandu.
The raid came just ahead of King Gyanendra's address to the nation, one year after he seized power in the Himalayan kingdom.
"Sixteen policemen, besides the three soldiers, have also been killed. Dozens, including the district administrator, are still missing," the army officer told Reuters.