KATHMANDU, Feb 22 Kyodo Warring M...

KATHMANDU, Feb 22 Kyodo

Warring Maoist rebels risk off two powerful land mines in western Nepal in succession Sunday, killing five people and wounding 22 others, officials said.

In united attack a land mine planted through rebels of the Nepal Communist Party (Maoist) explod subordinate to a passenger bus in Dang district, about 350 kilometers southwest of the capital.

''Two army soldiers and the driver of the bus were killed, while 20 others were injured,'' the same official said.

Nine of the injured were said to be in critical condition and were airlifted to Kathmandu.

The rebels also stake off a land mine forward the border of Dang and Kapilvastu districts, killing sum of two units police officers and wounding another sum of two units said reports reaching here from the districts.

The rebels, who claim to be inspired according to Chinese revolutionary leader Mao Zedong, are fighting to abolish Nepal's constitutional monarchy and establish up a communist republic.

The drawn-out campaign, which began in February 1996 has claimed the lives of more than 10000 family according to the government

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