Maoist rebels have caused bomb explosions and destroyed the relay tower of the state-owned Nepal Television at Hetauda on Wednesday.

According to preliminary reports, a group of armed rebels exploded bombs at the relay tower located at ward no. 9 of Hetauda municipality at around 5 p. m. this evening. NTV officials said the explosion has caused an estimated loss of around Rs seven million.

NTV viewers in part of Chitwan, Bara and Makwanpur may not be able to watch the state-run TV due to the damage caused by the explosions, officials said.

The rebels have been targeting facilities of the state-run NTV and Radio Nepal in various parts of the country in the past.