Nepal's rebel leader calls for ceasefire and talks

The leader of Nepal’s Maoist rebels today called for a ceasefire and agreed to hold peace talks with the government.

Prachanda, who only uses one name, said his group has decided to halt all offensive actions and would take part in peace talks.

The government has previously offered to hold peace talks.

The rebel move comes just days after the chief of Nepal’s Armed Police Force, his wife and bodyguard were shot dead in an attack blamed on the rebels.

The rebels, who claim to be inspired by Chinese revolutionary leader Mao Zedong, began a violent campaign in 1996 to abolish Nepal’s constitutional monarchy and establish a socialist state in this Himalayan kingdom.

Clashes with government forces a have intensified in recent months, with the army joining the police in a campaign to root out Maoist fighters from strongholds in remote mountainous areas.

King Gyanendra declared a state of emergency in November 2001 after the rebels broke a ceasefire and resumed attacks on government troops. The emergency was lifted last year but the fighting continues.

The insurgency has killed more than 7,000 people.