Nepal Katmandu, Nepal, Sept 5, SPA -- Two soldiers were killed and eightmore wounded in a land mine blast on Sunday which policeblamed on Maoist rebels fighting for a communist state. The soldiers were patrolling near Ghasikuwa, a villageabout 160 kilometers (100 miles) west of the Nepalesecapital, Katmandu, when they stepped on the mine. Among the eight injured, two are reported to be incritical condition. The rebels have been fighting since 1996 to replaceNepal's monarchy with a communist state. More than 10,000people have died in the insurgency. Fighting between the rebels, who say they are inspired byChinese revolutionary leader Mao Zedong, and governmentforces has escalated since the guerrillas withdrew from aseven-month cease-fire in August 2003.--SPA1446 Local Time 1146 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/198280