Kathmandu, Jun 29. (PTI): At least ten soldiers were injured today in an accidental gas cylinder explosion at an army camp near the Prime Minister's office in the Nepalese capital.

The explosion was triggered by a short circuit at the Kathmandu Valley Command office of the Army near the Prime Minister's office in Singhdurbar Secretariat complex, the government's main administrative building, an Army official said.

Ten army personnel were injured in the incident, he said, adding two rooms of the Valley Command Office were also damaged.

The injured soldiers were admitted to hospital, he said.

The Army official said the short circuit caused a fire which spread to the store room of the building where the cooking gas cylinder was kept. Minutes later, the cylinder exploded with a huge sound.

The fire was brought under control with the help of fire engines, he said.

Police and army surrounded the Singhdurbar Secretariat after the incident. Security has been tightened in the area.

The explosion was so powerful that it could be heard from a distance of 3-4 kilometres, eyewitnesses said.