Nepal puts troops on high alert

Nepal has put its troops on high alert nationwide following two attacks this week by communist rebels on soldiers and civilians that killed more than 50 people.

The bombing of a civilian bus that killed 38 people on Monday in southern Nepal was followed the same day by an ambush on an army patrol in the west, killing 14 security personnel. The attacks have prompted the army and police to boost security at government and civilian installations, officials said.

Recent attacks on civilians could indicate the Maoist rebels have broadened their targets from military installations to civilians. However, rebel leader Prachanda said in a statement that Monday's bus bombing was a mistake and army troops were the intended target.

The guerrillas have stepped up violence since February 1, when King Gyanendra took control of the government and imposed a three-month state of emergency. He said the power grab was necessary to quell the communist insurgency, which has killed more than 11,500 people since 1996.

In recent days, the army has increased patrols of city streets and highways and launched search operations to flush out rebels from forest hideouts.

A major operation at Kailali district and surrounding areas is continuing, said a commanding army official in the western region, also speaking on condition of anonymity. Army officials in Nepal customarily do not give their names for security reasons.

The remote western area, about 330 miles west of Kathmandu, is believed to have a strong rebel presence.

The insurgents ambushed an army patrol in the southern part of the district on Monday, killing at least 13 soldiers and a policeman.

The official said that the military has reports of several wounded rebels fleeing into Indian territory.

Some of them are being treated a private hospital at Laxmipur town, just across the border, he said.

It was not clear if Indian authorities were contacted about the rebels being treated there.