Rebels attack Nepal town, take 10 hostages

Communist rebels took seven government officials and three policemen hostage after an overnight attack in Dhankuta.

Communist rebels took seven government officials and three policemen hostage after an overnight attack on an eastern Nepal town that left several government buildings charred, officials said on Wednesday.

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The rebels bombed at least 12 government buildings and destroyed the local bank at Dhankuta, about 400 kilometres (250 miles) east of the capital, Kathmandu, said a police official reached by telephone.

The guerrillas first attacked at night and fighting continued until 3 am local time when they left with the hostages, said the police official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.