Maoist rebels have killed at least four police officers in an attack on a police station in southwestern Nepal.
About 100 rebels attacked the station at Dumkibas, a town some 125 miles from the capital, Katmandu.
Thirty-one officers were at the station at the time of the attack. Most of them are missing and believed to be hiding in nearby jungles, a police official said.
The rebels blocked a highway with trees and rocks, which slowed rescue efforts.
More than 5,000 people have died during the six-year Maoist uprising, half of them since King Gyanendra imposed a state of emergency in November and ordered the army to join the police in fighting the rebels.
The state of emergency - which restricted freedom of speech, press and assembly - was imposed last November after the rebels withdrew from peace talks. It was lifted in August, but the military has continued its offensive.
PA