At least six Maoists killed in Nepal clashes

KATHMANDU, Thursday (AFP) - At least six Maoist rebels were killed in two separate clashes with security forces in Nepal, the Nepalese army said Wednesday.

"At last five terrorists were killed in Dhanusha district when they clashed with security forces Wednesday morning," said an army statement, referring to an area of Nepal some 390 kilometres (240 miles) southeast of Kathmandu.

"Another terrorist was shot dead after he tried to fire at the security forces at Chupra Bazar area in Dailekh district (far west) on Tuesday," the statement said.

Maoist rebels have been fighting for a communist republic in Nepal since 1996 and the uprising has so far claimed nearly 12,000 lives.