Bomb blasts rock Nepalese capital

Security forces were reportedly trying to defuse one of the bombs

At least 27 people have been wounded by a bomb blast in the Nepalese capital, Kathmandu.

Some of them have abdomen injuries and others have fractured limbs

Kathmandu doctor

Police said a device exploded on a bridge over the river Bishnumati during the morning rush-hour, wounding a number of passers-by, including some school children.

There was also a second explosion near the house of a former army general, but there were no casualties.

Maoist rebels, who have waged a six-year campaign to overthrow Nepal's constitutional monarchy, are suspected of being responsible.

Meanwhile, King Gyanendra has visited the site of one of the worst massacres in the campaign, the town of Achham in the west of the country, where some 140 people were killed by rebels last month.

Critical condition

Some of the wounded children, who were on their way to school, are reported to be in a critical condition.

Thousands have been killed since the rebels started fighting

"Some of them have abdomen injuries and others have fractured limbs," said a doctor at a hospital where 22 of the wounded were taken.

The Defence Ministry said that three security personnel on a patrol were also hurt.

Police said they suspect the bomb was planted by Maoist rebels, who have been fighting since 1996 to replace Nepal's constitutional monarchy with a communist state.

There are reports that members of the security forces were trying to defuse the bomb when it exploded.

The explosion occurred ahead of a five-day nationwide general strike called by the rebels, which is due to begin on Tuesday.

Violent campaign

The strike is to protest at a nationwide state of emergency, imposed last November in a bid to crush the Maoist rebellion.

There have been a number of attacks on police and government targets in Kathmandu in the past week.

The BBC's Daniel Lak in Kathmandu says the attacks are probably intended to underline the Maoists' strike call.

Some 3,000 people have died since the Maoists launched their violent campaign against the country's rulers.

King Gyandendra's visit to the west of the country was aimed at assessing the security situation.

He was accompanied by Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and Chief of Army Staff Prajwolla Shumsher Rana.