Kathmandu city official shot dead

The rebels have been blamed for the latest violence

Suspected Maoist rebels in Nepal have shot dead a municipal official in the capital, Kathmandu.

Mahesh Man Shrestha was killed in front of his office, authorities said.

In a separate incident, a deputy superintendent of police was shot and injured in another Kathmandu attack blamed on the rebels.

The latest violence comes amid mounting tension in the kingdom - on Monday 12 policemen and a civilian were reported killed by Maoists south of Kathmandu.

And four days ago, rebels shot dead the mayor of Pokhara, a major tourist centre.

Political moves

The rebels have not yet made any comments on Tuesday's incidents.

Violence in the country has escalated since peace talks broke down in August.

More than 9,000 people have died in the eight-year rebel insurgency in which they aim to replace the monarchy with a communist republic.

On Monday, new Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba announced a coalition government aimed at ending the country's long-running political deadlock.