Fierce fighting leaves hundreds dead in Nepal

At least 350 people have reportedly died during fierce fighting for control of a rebel stronghold in western Nepal.

State radio reported that around 250 Maoist rebels are believed to have died in the fighting in the remote village of Gam, where a gunbattle broke out on Tuesday after the rebels overran and captured an army base.

At least 104 soldiers and police officers were also killed in the battle, during which the rebels recaptured Gam, which has been under army control for two months.

Gam is where Nepal’s Maoist insurgency was born out of extreme poverty and poor governance.

Radio Nepal said army reinforcements reached the area today and are currently fighting to regain the territory.

However, the reports cannot be independently verified because journalists and human rights groups are barred from the war zone.