KATHMANDU (AFP) - Two policemen were killed when Nepalese Maoist rebels attacked a prison east of the capital and freed 33 prisoners including 15 rebels, a district official said.

The attack occurred Saturday evening in Charikot 180 kilometers (113 miles) east of Kathmandu, said Dolkha Chandi Acharya, the region’s chief district officer.

Soldiers are hunting the rebels, he said on Sunday.

"During the attacks from four sides two junior policemen who were in the jail were killed," Acharya said.

"The Maoists also set fire to seven government buildings including the local revenue office, police posts and the education, electricity and telecommunication offices," he said.

Last week the government said it killed 96 Maoist rebels in a major clash west of Kathmandu that also left three soldiers dead.

The fighting on Thursday was believed to be the largest clash between rebels and police and troops since King Gyanendra sacked the government on February 1, criticising its failure to end the revolt.

The rebels have been fighting for a communist republic in Nepal since 1996 and the uprising has already claimed more than 11,000 lives.