Suspected Maoists have abducted 14 Indian soldiers of the Gurkha Regiment in western Nepal, a media report in Kathmandu said on Saturday.

The soldiers, stationed in Jammu and Kashmir [Images], were on their way home on leave when they were abducted from Chuha village in Kailali district, the Kathmandu Post reported.

The rebels also torched three Indian vehicles in a separate incident in Nawalparasi district, it said.

Meanwhile, stepping up its campaign against the government, Maoists exploded a powerful bomb in Bara district, killing four persons, including security personnel, and injuring two others. The incident happened when local residents attempted to defuse two stray bombs planted on a road at Ganjabhawanipur village, official sources said.

According to the sources, the rebels had fixed a bomb along with a banner reading 'danger' on the road a few days ago. It exploded when the civilians tried to defuse it using a long stick killing two persons on the spot.

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