Kathmandu: Two protesters were killed after opening fire on a group who attacked a patrol in the restive southwest of Nepal, a police official said on Saturday.

Government administrator Rishiram Dhakal said eight policemen were injured in the overnight attack.

The policemen were patrolling the streets of Dang in southeast Nepal when they came under attack from protesters who were defying a curfew order and had erected a road blockade.

Dhakal said the policemen were compelled to open fire only after they came under attack.