Dozens of Maoists killed in Nepali air strike

The attack was reported by the private news website, Kantipuro-nline.com, which gave no further details, while military officials said they were still awaiting a full report.

The website said that aside from the air strike, Nepal's security forces have killed at least 13 Maoists in clashes in various parts of the country since King Gyanendra sacked the government and assumed power a week ago, declaring a state of emergency.

Prior to the king's sacking of the government the army reported almost daily bloodshed as the rebels pressed demands for a communist republic in the Himalayan outpost.

But the power grab has been accompanied by a crackdown on media and human rights groups, and a halt in communications which until lines were restored on Tuesday had virtually cut Nepal off from the outside world.

On Monday, state media reported that the new government headed by the king has offered to hold unconditional talks with the rebels to end the insurgency, which has claimed more than 11,000 lives since 1996.

The rebels had previously said they would negotiate only with King Gyanendra or his representatives under an international mediator, with an agenda that includes holding a constituent assembly to draft a new constitution.

A government statement said those issues can be discussed if the rebels agree to meet a committee of cabinet ministers which has still to be appointed.

Gyanendra, who controls the army, last week fired the government led by Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba for failing to organise elections and end the Maoist insurgency.

Meanwhile, political and student leaders held in the wake of King Gyanendra's seizure of power in Nepal a week ago could remain locked up for three months, army spokesman Brigadier General Dipak Gurung said Tuesday.

Gurung denied claims by political opposition groups, however, that around 1,000 people are being detained.

"It is an exaggerated figure," he told AFP in an interview here.