Kathmandu: A powerful bomb blast rocked the crowded Nepalese customs house on January 28, injuring a woman and disrupting business.

The bomb suspected to be planted by Maoists went off at 1:15 pm today in one of the women's bathrooms of the Customs Department building, injuring a woman, police sources said.

The explosion damaged one of the rooms of the building, smashed the window panes and also developed a crack in the wall.

The blast comes two days after suspected Maoist rebels gunned down Armed Police Force Chief Krishna Mohan Shrestha, his wife and his bodyguard on the outskirts of Kathmandu.

Meanwhile, joint security forces have gunned down nine Maoist rebels across the country during separate retaliatory action.

Six rebels, including an area committee member, were killed in Suda area of Kanchanpur district, one each killed in Pyuthan, Nuwakot and Banke districts, Defence Ministry official said on January 28.

The security forces have recovered guns, pistols, socket bombs, explosive materials and bullets from various places.

PTI