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Nepal army recovers arms, explosives from rebels

KATMANDU: The army has recovered guns and explosives hidden by communist rebels in Katmandu, foiling their plans to attack targets in the capital, officials said Tuesday.

“We have recovered several guns, explosives, bombs and communication devices in the past two months which could have been used in several attacks in Katmandu,” Royal Nepalese Army spokesman Brig. Gen. Deepak Gurung told reporters.

Gurung refused to say whether any rebels were arrested in the operations.

The recovery of the arms comes ahead of the ninth anniversary of the start of the rebels’ armed revolt in February. The guerrillas often intensify attacks in urban areas and hold mass gatherings in remote rural areas to mark the anniversary.

The rebels, who say they are inspired by Chinese revolutionary leader Mao Zedong, have been fighting since 1996 to replace Nepal’s monarchy with a communist state, and have launched bolder attacks in recent months. More than 10,500 people have died since the fighting began.

The government has urged the rebels to join peace talks, but they walked out of negotiations in August 2003, withdrawing from a seven-month cease-fire. ap

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