Kathmandu, Oct 20: Maoist rebels killed a soldier and injured eight others and burned down an Indian tourist vehicle in Nepal's Chitwan district over the last 24 hours, army headquarters sources said here today. One soldier was killed and eight others injured, three seriously, when their vehicle was ambushed by the Maoists in Jugedi area of Chitawan district this morning source said adding that the wounded had been airlifted to the capital for treatment.

In another incident, a group of armed insurgents allegedly stopped an Indian tourist bus carrying pilgrims at Kavilas last night and asked all the passengers to alight before setting it on fire, the police said.

The incident took place hours after tourism minister Sarvendra Nath Shukla claimed that tourists were safe in the country despite the ongoing Maoist violence.
Insurgents also burnt down two partked motorcycles and an autorickshaw in Kuleshwar area, here this morning the sources said.

Bureau Report