Soldiers kill 27 communist rebels in Nepal

The AssociatedPress

KATMANDU, Nepal -- Soldiers killed 27 rebels over two days in western Nepal as part of a military offensive launched after the guerrillas staged their deadliest strike ever earlier this month, the Defense Ministry said Wednesday.

The military says it has now killed 189 rebels since Feb. 17, when the guerrillas killed 137 soldiers, police and civilians in attacks in Mangalsen town of Achham district. They were the worst attacks since the rebels began fighting in 1996.

More than 2,600 people have been killed in the six-year insurgency.

The rebels say they draw their inspiration from Chinese revolutionary leader Mao Tse-tung.