Maoist People's War Begins — A Decade of Civil Conflict
माओवादी जनयुद्धको सुरुवात — दशक लामो गृहयुद्ध
What happened
On 13 February 1996, a communist group called the Maoists declared war on the Nepali government. They fought for 10 years across Nepal's countryside. Over 17,000 people died. Schools and health posts were destroyed. Many families fled to cities. The war finally ended in 2006 when the Maoists agreed to peace talks.
Full Verified Record
On 13 February 1996, the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist), led by Pushpa Kamal Dahal (Prachanda) and Baburam Bhattarai, launched the People's War — a Maoist insurgency against the Nepali state. Beginning with attacks on police posts in Rolpa, Rukum, and Sindhuli, the movement grew over 10 years to control significant rural territory. By 2001, the Maoists had an army of over 15,000 combatants. The government declared a state of emergency in November 2001 and deployed the Nepal Army. The conflict killed an estimated 13,000–17,000 people, displaced hundreds of thousands, and devastated rural infrastructure. It ended with the Comprehensive Peace Accord in November 2006.
१३ फेब्रुअरी १९९६ मा माओवादी नेता पुष्पकमल दाहाल (प्रचण्ड)ले जनयुद्ध घोषणा गरे। १० वर्षे गृहयुद्धमा अनुमानित १३,०००-१७,००० जनाको मृत्यु भयो।
Why it mattered
The Maoist insurgency was the defining event of Nepal's 1990s and 2000s. It exposed the failure of Nepal's democratic governments to deliver development to rural areas. Its conclusion enabled Nepal's republican transformation. Former Maoists entered government and shaped policy for the next two decades — Prachanda served as PM three times.
Who was affected
17,000 dead. Hundreds of thousands internally displaced. Rural communities across 75 districts. Nepal's security forces (thousands killed). The civilian population caught between Maoist taxation and government reprisals.
Verification
verified
Editorial status
approved
Fact sensitivity
Level 1 of 5
Last updated
29 May 2026