More die in Nepal Maoist violence

Six people have died in clashes between the police and Maoist rebels in Nepal.

The authorities say three officers and two guerrillas were killed in Sindhuli, east of Kathmandu, and a third policeman died in the southwestern, Nawalparasi district.

There were also minor explosions at government buildings and police posts in various parts of the country, but none caused serious damage or injuries.

Correspondents say the Maoist rebels are thought to have been behind the blasts, although there's been no word from them yet.

They had warned earlier this week that they'd be stepping up their four-year campaign of violence, after accusing the government of not being serious about starting peace talks. The rebels want to replace Nepal's monarchy with a communist republic.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service