Heavy gunfight erupted Saturday between the security forces and anti-government guerrillas in western Nepal, the army said.

"The gunbattle that started from around 8:00 am local time (0215GMT) and was still going on until 6:00 p.m. (1215GMT) at Khana area of Arghakhanchi district, some 300 km west of Kathmandu," an army official said on condition of anonymity.

Over half a dozen guerrillas were killed in the encounter, while 17 security personnel were injured, he noted, adding, "All injured security personnel have been brought to the district headquarters for treatment."

Reinforcement has been sent to the area. However, details of the incident are still awaited, he added.

Source: Xinhua