India denies it sent arms laden trucks to Nepal

New Delhi, Sep 13: The government today strongly rejected and described as ''baseless'' the news reports in Nepal that trucks from India allegedly carried arms supplies to the Himalayan kingdom.

''The news reports are baseless and there is no truth in them,'' a spokesman for the External Affairs Ministry said in response to a question.

Reports said that Maoist guerillas had charged the Koirala government with importing a 'huge quantity' of arms for the Nepalese army in violation of the ceasefire between the two sides.

However, the Koirala government refuted the allegations and said there was 'no substance' in the reports.

A Nepali language newspaper said today more than 30 vehicles had transported arms supplies from the Indian border to the Nepalese army barracks in Gajuri yesterday.

Maoists alleged that the trucks were carrying weapons and ammunition for the army and imposed curbs on vehicular traffic in urban areas in southern Nepal in protest against the alleged arms shipment.

However, Nepelese officials were quoted as saying that the trucks were carrying goods and equipment for Nepali troops who have been deputed to join the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

UNI