An eight-year-old girl died and four others were injured, including three of her sisters, in shoot-out between the armed police and Maoists at Dingla in Bhojpur 150 kms southeast of the capital Monday afternoon, security sources said Tuesday.

Sabina Khawas died instantly and sisters Sharmila, 19, Pramila, 12, Binita,12, and Lal Bahadur Bika, 56, were injured at home in the cross-fire, the same source said. The injured  have been airlifted for treatment at Dharan. Sabina died immediately of chest injuries.

A platoon each from the US Army and the Royal Nepal Army (RNA) will conduct a routine month long joint military exercise mostly in central Nepal beginning next week to enhance capabilities of the two armies, a spokesman of the RNA said.

The exercise includes handling emergencies during natural disasters.