About 2,500 Maoist guerillas perpetrated a massive attack against the Nepal army in Mangalsen and Sanphebagar in Achham district on 16 February 2002 killing 57 soldiers, 77 policemen and five civilians. Several government buildings were put on fire and an airport at Sanphebagar was destroyed. The incident is considered the single most damaging strike by the rebels during the Nepalese Civil War.[1][2][3]
