Maoists attack police post in Nepal; 2 injured

Police confirmed the incident and said officials have been sent to the site 680 kms southwest of Kathmandu, but declined to give details.

Two policemen and a civilian were injured when Maoists attacked a police post in southwestern Nepal early on Thursday, hospital sources said.

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The attack was the second by the Maoists since they ended a unilateral four-month-old ceasefire early this week.

"Two policemen and a civilian were brought to the hospital for treatment but the civilian has been sent to neighbouring India as his condition is quite serious," Tirtha Raj Bhatta, a health worker at the Mahakali Zonal Hospital, told the agency.

"The two policemen have bullet injuries on their legs, chest and stomach. They are being airlifted to Kathmandu for treatment," Bhatta said.

Police confirmed the incident and said officials have been sent to the site 680 kilometres (425 miles) southwest of Kathmandu, but declined to give further details.

On Wednesday, the rebels battled with security forces in far-western Nepal after ending their ceasefire on Monday, the military said.

It said there were no confirmed casualties in the fighting in Mauriya, Dadeldhura district, where "terrorists" had extorted money and food from villagers.

The army also said the rebels had entered a village school and "used the school children as human shields".

Maoist leader Pushpa Kamal Dahal alias Pranchanda called off the four-month-old truce Monday, blaming continued military action by the army.

He said the rebels would resume hostilities against government forces but not target civilians, a move welcomed by human rights organization.

The rebels have been fighting for a communist republic in Nepal since 1996 in an uprising that has claimed more than 12,000 lives.