Bomb explodes in Nepalese capital

KATMANDU, Nepal -- A time bomb exploded at a commercial complex in Nepal's capital Thursday, injuring at least seven people, police said.

The explosion at Batuledhar -- a six-story commercial building in the heart of Katmandu -- shattered window panes and damaged offices of banks and finance companies in the building.

None of the injured was seriously hurt in the explosion, blamed by police on rebels fighting to topple Nepal's monarchy. Police and eyewitnesses said the bomb was hidden in the building's stairway.

The rebels, who claim to be inspired by Chinese revolutionary leader Mao Zedong, began a violent campaign in 1996 to establish a socialist state in this Himalayan kingdom.

The insurgency has killed more than 7,000 people, most of them after the king imposed a state of emergency in November 2001 and ordered the army to join the police in fighting the rebels. The emergency was lifted in August.