Suspected Maoist rebels shot dead 39 policemen and a civilian in a string of attacks on security posts across Nepal on the eve of the new king's birthday, officials said today.
It was the worst violence in the Himalayan kingdom since last month's massacre of virtually the entire royal family by the crown prince, who then shot himself.
District official Mr Harihar Sharma said 21 police officers were killed at Bichour in Lamjung, 150 km west of Kathmandu and two officers were critically wounded.
Ten more policemen were killed and another three injured, one of them critically, at Taruka in Nuwakot district, 100 km northeast of the national capital.
A further eight police officers and a civilian cook were gunned down at Wami Taxar in Gulmi in western Nepal.
Officials said all three attacks were carried out late yesterday night or early today by suspected members of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) which has pledged to overthrow the Himalayan kingdom's constitutional monarchy.
There was no word from the rebel group about the attacks.
Police also suspect the rebels of being behind a bomb explosion on Wednesday near the homes of Prime Minister Mr Girija Prasad Koirala. No one was injured in the explosion.
Today is new King Gyanendra's 55th birthday.