The anti-government guerrillas dead toll reached 27 till Monday in different security operations in a district of western Nepal, local army office confirmed here Tuesday.

"The number of guerrillas killed in the action taken by the security forces since January 12 has reached 27 so far in Chitre Bhanjyang, Kichnas, Ambot and Chansingh areas of Syangja district, some 200 km west of Kathmandu," Royal Nepalese Army Western Divisional Headquarters said in a press statement.

At least 10 guerrillas were killed on January 12 after the security forces on a regular patrol in the area responded to an attack by the guerrillas, the statement noted.

Likewise, another 17 were killed in the retaliation that took place at the Manakama area of the district on January 13, the statement noted, adding, "While the body of the guerrillas from the area was discovered on Monday."

In order to save themselves from the retaliatory action, the guerrillas used the general public as human shields and the public places like temples, schools and individuals homes as shelters, the statement said.

"But sufficient alertness adopted by the security forces avoided any big damage to public life and property," it added.

Over 12,000 Nepalese people have been killed since the anti- government insurgency took place in the Himalayan kingdom in February 1996.

Source: Xinhua