KATHMANDU, March 2 (Xinhuanet) -- The death toll reached 29 in a clash Tuesday between the security forces and the anti-government guerrillas in western Nepal, Ministry of Defence (MoD) confirmed here Thursday.

    "At least 29 people, including 18 guerrillas and 11 security men were killed in the fierce clash at Panena, a bordering area between Arghakhanchi and Palpa districts, some 300 km west of Kathmandu," MoD said in a press statement.

    Altogether 18 bodies of the guerrillas killed in the daylong gun-battle were discovered during a search on Wednesday, the statement noted, adding that 11 security personnel including 10 Royal Nepalese Army (RNA) soldiers and one policeman lost their lives in the skirmish.

    Over 13,000 Nepalese people have been killed since the anti-government insurgency took place in the Himalayan kingdom in February 1996. Enditem