The soldiers were dismissed from the army and sentenced to jail terms ranging from one to seven years, Gurung said.

A total of 22 soldiers had been investigated on various charges, including kidnapping and indiscipline, he said. Promotion has been suspended for five years for a number of junior officers, he added without elaborating.

"The investigation was conducted as per reports received by the Army Human Rights Cell headed by Brigadier General B.A. Kumar Sharma," Gurung said.

Addressing a weekly briefing here, he said some 1,270 Maoist rebels and 118 Nepalese soldiers had been killed in clashes across the country since August 27 when Maoist rebels unilaterally withdrew from a ceasefire.

"During the same period, 208 soldiers were injured in the clashes with the Maoists," Gurung said.

WAR.WIRE