Kathmandu: At least 16 Maoists were killed in separate encounters with security forces in Nepal, where suspected rebels detonated two bombs injuring two persons, Defence Ministry sources said on October 27.

Nine rebels were killed along the border of Rupandehi and Nawalparasi districts while four were killed on the border between Dadeldhura and Baitadi districts.

In separate encounters, two Maoists were killed in Pyuthan district and one in Ramechhap district, the ministry said.

Two people were injured when a bomb exploded at the government-run Dairy Development Corporation building at Lainchaur in Kathmandu on October 27, a police official said.

The dairy building was slightly damaged by the explosion, which occurred around 15:00 hours (local time).

Another bomb exploded in the Employees Provident Fund building near the SAARC Secretariat at Tridevi Marg, damaging a public toilet at the building and window panes of the adjoining Himalayan Bank office, police said, adding that suspected Maoists were behind these two blasts.

Life was, meanwhile, paralysed in Eastern Nepal's Terai districts including Morang, Sunsari and Jhapa districts in response to a general strike called by the Maoists.

However, the strike had little effect in West Nepal. Nepalgunj market remained opened despite the shut down programme, Kantipur FM radio reported.

PTI