At least 34 die as Nepal troops clash with Maoists

‘‘We have recovered 16 bodies of Maoist rebels and we have lost 10 of our men,’’ Army Colonel Ram Sharam Karki told Reuters. He said many more guerrillas might have been killed. At least 18 soldiers were also wounded in the clash that started yesterday.

‘‘They were in columns like ants when they opened fire on our search mission,’’ Karki said.“Soldiers who are still in the area have seen more bodies of the rebels. We have not collected other bodies yet.’’

It was the single bloodiest clash since a temporary truce between the Maoists and the government ended last month.

Life came to a standstill in central parts of the Himalayan kingdom following a two-day road block called by the rebels. Dhading, Chitawan and Nuwakot districts in central Nepal were affected by the during the blockade.

Three soldiers and five rebels died in separate clashes elsewhere, another official said. Last week rebels killed 20 soldiers or policemen in separate attacks.