Nepal's Maoist rebels have killed 15 police officers in west Nepal.
The police blamed yesterday's deaths on Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) rebels who are trying to topple the constitutional monarchy.
An official said the rebels attacked the police post at Pandusen village in Bajura district, about 375 miles west of Kathmandu. Police fought rebels for over three hours before suffering the casualties, a district official said.
The attack follows the appointment of Mr Sher Bahadur Deuba (55) as prime minister yesterday to succeed Mr Girija Prasad Koirala.Mr Koirala resigned over the Maoist insurgency that has gained strength since last month's palace massacre in which almost the entire royal family was killed.
Mr Koirala was criticised for failing to deal properly with the royal massacre when Crown Prince Dipendra killed his parents and nine other relatives before shooting himself on June 1st.
The Maoists, despite being avowed anti-monarchists, refuse to believe the prince killed his family and have steeped up their attacks, saying the royal killing was a conspiracy.
The rebels have killed dozens of policemen in attacks and kidnappings over the past few weeks.
Officials said rebels had released 22 of the more than 80 policemen captured recently. The release came after human rights activists pressed for their freedom on humanitarian grounds.