Mausers missing from PLA fifth division

KHEM BAHADUR BUDHA

DAHABAN: Two pistols certified by the United Nations Mission to Nepal have been missing from Rolpa’s Dahaban-based PLA Fifth Division headquarters since fighters opting for voluntary retirement left the cantonment.

This was revealed while handing over the weapons and fighters of the division and its satellite camps to the Nepali Army on Wednesday. A fighter of the division said, “One Chinese mauser and a brown mauser were not found during counting.” Sources say retiring fighters took the pistols with them.

A commander said, “We will get back those weapons at any cost.” The missing mausers were kept for the security of the cantonment and were with the commander-level fighters who did not submit them on retirement. The division has not made public the names of the commanders.

This is not the first case of weapons going missing from the division. An M16 rifle was reported missing from the division during CA election.

Meanwhile, NA has been instructed not to let anyone enter the camp without gate pass. Lt Col Lila Chaudhary said they had received 480 weapons from the division. Division acting assistant commander Raj Bahadur Budha, claimed they include 42 weapons meant for cantonment security. He said nothing about missing mausers.

Regrouping Table

Number of fighters Those seeking retirement

First Division, Chulachuli 796 296

Second Division, Sindhuli 805 234

Third Division, Shaktikhor 2,214 1,322

Fourth Division, Jhyaltungdanda 1,282 580

Fifth Division, Dahaban 1,287 601

Sixth Division ,Dasarthpur 1,559 716

Seventh Division, Talband 1,762 386

Total 9,705 4,135