Nepali troops attack Maoists

NEPALI TROOPS backed by helicopters attacked Maoist camps in the west of the country as part of a new offensive against the rebels launched after King Gyanendra seized power a week ago.

Dozens of rebels were killed in Monday's strikes near the western city of Nepalgunj, newspapers reported army officers as saying yesterday, adding that no soldiers had been killed. The Maoists have attacked the King's assumption of power and threatened a nationwide strike on Sunday if he does not restore democracy. (Reuters)