KATHMANDU, June 14: At least 21 Nepali policemen were killed and 12 wounded on Monday when Maoist rebels ambushed two police trucks in the west of the country, a police spokesman said.

The rebels planted a landmine which exploded as the trucks passed and then opened fire on the convoy, the spokesman said.

The attack, the biggest since Sher Bahadur Deuba was re-appointed prime minister on June 2, took place at Khairikhola, 450km west of the capital Kathmandu, said spokesman Ajay.

"There was a big explosion. Two trucks used by the police were completely damaged," Chatkuli said. -Reuters