Maoist rebels kill six securitymen in Nepal

The securitymen were going to collect question papers for a national high school examination when they were ambushed by the rebels.

Five soldiers and a police officer were killed on Wednesday in a clash with rebel Maoists in eastern Nepal, police said.

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"The security personnel came under attack from the rebels in Jhapa district at around seven am on Wednesday," said the local police officer who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The securitymen were going to collect question papers for a national high school examination when they were ambushed by the rebels in Jhapa district 600 kilometres east of Kathmandu.

"All of the fatalities occurred on the spot, and three people were injured," said a police officer from Kathmandu headquarters.

On Monday, the rebels declared a ceasefire in the capital to support a planned anti-royal protest programme by opposition parties ousted when King Gyanendra took over 14 months ago.

Since a four-month unilateral rebel ceasefire ended in January, some 290 civilians, soldiers, rebels and police have been killed.

The 10-year Maoist uprising has left at least 12,500 people dead.