New clashes erupt in west Nepal

Nepal's Maoist rebels want an end to the monarchy

Fresh clashes in western Nepal have left at least 10 government soldiers and 16 rebels dead, the army says.

There is no word so far from the rebels on the fighting that started late Saturday in Pandaun, Kailali district.

A recent upsurge of violence has followed the end last month of a temporary truce between the sides.

More than 9,000 people have died since Maoist rebels launched a violent campaign in 1996 to overthrow the monarchy in Nepal.

"We have recovered 16 bodies of Maoist rebels and lost 10 of our men," Colonel Ram Sharam Karki told Reuters news agency after a six-hour battle.

Confirmed casualty figures in the long-running conflict are hard to come by.

A fierce clash also took place in Pandaun, a rebel stronghold, last week.