14 Policemen, 4 Others Killed in Rebel Attack

Maoist rebels sprayed a police truck with gunfire after it struck a land mine in southwestern Nepal, killing 14 policemen, officials said.

Four civilians traveling in a bus behind the police vehicle also died, and at least 27 others were wounded.

Police officials said the policemen were on patrol in the village of Dhankhola, about 250 miles southwest of the capital, Katmandu, where rebels are known to operate.

Fighting between the rebels, who say they are inspired by Chinese revolutionary leader Mao Tse-tung, and government forces has escalated since the guerrillas withdrew from a seven-month cease-fire in August.

The rebels have been fighting since February 1996 to replace Nepal’s monarchy with a communist state.

The insurgency has claimed more than 9,500 lives.