Saturday, January 15 2005 20:28 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Kathmandu: Suspected Maoists have abducted 14 Indian soldiers of the Gurkha regiment in western Nepal, a media report said Kathmandu today (Jan 15, 2005).

The soldiers, stationed in Jammu and Kashmir, were on their way home on leave when they were abducted from Chuha village of Kailali district, the Kathmandu Post reported.

The rebels also torched three Indian vehicles in a separate incident in Nawalparasi district, it said.

Meanwhile, stepping up its campaign against the Government, Maoists exploded a powerful bomb in Bara district, killing four persons, including a security personnel, and injuring two others.

The incident happened when local people attempted to defuse two stray bombs planted on a road at Ganjabhawanipur village in the district, official sources said.

According to sources, the rebels fixed the bombs along with a banner reading "danger" on the road a few days ago.

It exploded as the civilians tried to defuse it using a long stick killing two people on the spot.