Maoists-cops battle kills 2 in Nepal

A market gunbattle between police and Maoist rebels yesterday left two dead and highlighted a simmering showdown between Nepal's government and hard-core opponents, officials said. A police constable and a member of the banned Communist Party of Nepal died from wounds suffered in the shootout in Bhojpur district, 180 kilometres (112 miles) from Kathmandu, said Nurhari Khatiwada, the district chief officer. He told AFP the Maoists had opened fire on police patrolling the market. Police said that they have recovered a pistol and bullets from the area.