5 policemen killed, 20 abducted in Nepal

At least two rebels were killed in the attack late Sunday night in the village of Diktel 200km east of Kathmandu, a senior army officer said Monday on condition of anonymity.

"Five policemen including three members of the armed police force and two auxiliary policemen were killed when the Maoists attacked Diktel late Sunday night," the army officer said.

"The search to locate the terrorists is continuing."

The rebels attacked a security base, government buildings and a nearby jail around midnight and fled the village before dawn on Monday, the army officer said.

A police official earlier Monday said 20 policemen had been abducted by the rebels and one soldier is also reported missing.

The rebels freed 63 inmates from the jail in Diktel including three children, the army officer said.

Reports said the communication system in the area was also disrupted.

The rebels have been fighting for a communist republic in the impoverished Himalayan kingdom since 1996, in an uprising that has so far claimed more than 11,000 lives.

In early June the rebels were widely criticised by human rights groups for the bombing of a crowded bus that killed 36 people and injured more than 70.

The Maoists admitted the incident, calling it a "grave mistake".

Meanwhile, Nepal's Maoist rebel chief yesterday announced a halt to attacks against unarmed civilians until further notice and said the party is prepared to join political parties opposing King Gyanendra.

The move follows widespread criticism of the rebels after they blew up a bus two weeks ago killing 36 people -- mainly civilians -- in an incident they later acknowledged was a "grave mistake".

"Our party has issued special instruction to its entire party rank and file, the people's liberation army and all organs of the new people's government to halt physical action against unarmed individuals until further decision," said Maoist party chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, also known as Prachanda.