Nepali troops backed by helicopters have attacked Maoist camps in the jungles in the west of the country, as part of a new offensive against the rebels launched after the king seized power a week ago. Dozens of Maoists have been killed in the strikes on training camps and shelters near the western city of Nepalgunj, newspapers reported on Tuesday, but the army said it was still waiting for details. A senior military officer in Nepalgunj told Reuters by telephone troops were returning to the city after Monday's operation, but he did not yet have casualty figures. The army said at least three Maoists had been killed in other clashes and a soldier had been killed defusing a land mine the same day. The rebels have not commented on the latest clashes.King Gyanendra sacked the government, suspended civil rights and seized power in what some analysts said was a move to give free rein to the army against the rebels to end a nine-year rebellion to topple the monarchy and set up a communist state. More than 11,000 people have been killed -- almost a third of that number since late 2003 when the last round of peace talks collapsed. Late on Monday, domestic and international lines began working again for the first time in a week. As phone links were restored with other parts of the country, residents said the country remained largely peaceful but people remained apprehensive. "At least 40 activists have been arrested from this area that we know of," said Tanka Khanal
"We want peace," said Uday Shreshtha in Nepalgunj. "We hope whatever the king has done will take us on the path to peace. People are scared of Maoists, soldiers and the police."ÂÂ