Two Royal Bhutan Army (RBA) soldiers were injured after an improvised explosive device exploded in Sarpang district on October 12. Sources indicated that Maoists militants based in the eastern camps of Nepal were responsible for the attack.1
Meanwhile, the UN has for the first time in seventeen years stated that it would be limiting food aid for the refugee camps in eastern Nepal. Latest estimates indicated that around 22,000 Bhutanese refugees have been settled in Western countries under the third country settlement programme.2
In other developments, Indian Railways announced that it would establish three rail links with Bhutan. Reports noted that the Indian decision was to counter China’s influence in the region.3

• 1. “Two RBA soldiers injured in Sarpang Blast,” The Kuensel, October 11, 2009, at http://www.kuenselonline.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=13686
• 2. “U.N. to cut food aid to Bhutan refugees in Nepal,” The Reuters, October 15, 2009, at http://in.reuters.com/article/southAsiaNews/idINIndia-43188420091015; “Nearly 22,000 Bhutanese refugees living in Nepal resettled,” China View, October 18, 2009, at http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-10/18/content_12263553.htm
• 3. “India Developing Rail Links to Connect to Chinese Infrastructure,” Asia Briefing, October 15, 2009, at http://www.2point6billion.com/news/2009/10/15/india-developing-rail-link...