Kathmandu, November 29

A man was injured when police opened fire at him in ‘self-defence’ during a raid carried out in Khichapokhari-based Lumbini Guest House today.

The person, who sustained two bullet injuries to both of his legs, has been identified as Chhotelal Thakur (26) of Ahawi-8, Bara, who is said to be a fugitive constable of Nepal Police. He had fled with a Self-Loading Rifle from Rautahat in 2010.

A special team deployed from the Metropolitan Police Crime Division cordoned off the guest house at around 7.15 pm acting on a tip-off and raided his hideout. As the police stormed into room no 202, Thakur pulled out an automatic pistol and attempted to open fire at security personnel.

“We shot at Thakur in self-defence as he tried to pull the trigger of a pistol while we were trying to take him under control,” said Superintendent of Police Sahakul Thapa. He is said to be out of danger and is undergoing treatment at the Bir Hospital under tight police security.

SP Thapa informed that a China-made pistol loaded with seven rounds of bullet and a country-made pistol has been recovered from Thakur’s possession.

The China-made pistol (serial no. 29020827) was issued to Bhaktapur Police in 1988. “We have succeeded in recovering one of our lost weapons. We are trying to establish how the pistol come into Thakur’s possession,” said SP Thapa.

According to police, Thakur had checked into the guest house on Friday. He is suspected to be operating an extortion ring and trading in small arms. He was also allegedly associated with various armed groups in the Tarai. Police have also arrested Raj Kumar Patel (36) of Gaur, Rautahat, who was with Thakur in the room when the incident occurred.

The MPCD has launched further investigation into Thakur’s involvement in criminal activities. Police have yet to recover the SLR that Thakur fled with some five years ago. A source informed that Thakur was also involved in the murder of a man in India.