Nepali soldier shoots dead 11 villagers

KATHMANDU - A Nepali soldier has fired indiscriminately on a crowd gathered near a temple outside Kathmandu, killing at least 11 people and wounding 19 others.

The Army says the soldier, who began shooting after a row broke out with villagers, also died in the incident in Nagarkot, 30km from the capital.

The soldier reportedly shot himself.

An Army spokesman said an investigation had been ordered into the shootings. The victims' families would be compensated.

"Bloodstains littered the entire temple," local journalist Deepak Rijal said after visiting the site. "The villagers are terrified."

- REUTERS