Two dozen security personnel killed in Palpa clash, 150 policemen missing Kantipur Report KATHMANDU, Feb 1 - Over two dozen security personnel have been reported killed in the overnight clashes between security forces and Maoist rebels in Tansen, the district headquarters of Palpa district. Five bodies of Royal Nepalese Army soldiers and 17 bodies of policemen have been recovered so far. Some 150 security personnel are still out of contact after the rebels’ raid on Tansen yesterday, reported our correspondent quoting security sources. Though casualties on the rebels’ side are yet to be verified, security sources claim that dozens of rebels were killed in the clash. The Chief District Officer and a Deputy Superintendent of Police who had gone missing after the attack have come in contact. Many injured security personnel have been taken to Pokhara for treatment. Some one and a half dozen injured soldiers have been brought to the army hospital at Chhauni, Kathmandu for treatment. The rebels launched simultaneous attacks on the RNA barracks, District Police Office, District Administration Office, government banks and other government offices in Tansen, at around 10:45 on Tuesday night. Heavy fighting continued between the security forces and the rebels till Wednesday morning. Electricity and telephone services in Tansen and surrounding districts Gulmi and Arghakhanchi remain disrupted following the rebel attack. More details soon. Posted on: 2006-01-31 23:24:21 (Server Time)