KATHMANDU: A tanker driver lost his life after he was beaten up black and blue by a group of eight to nine persons, including a bus driver, following a dispute on the road at Balkhu on Saturday night.

The victim has been identfied as Gagan Aryal (37), a resident of Chobhar, Kirtipur-14, on the southern outskirts of Kathmandu. He succumbed to the injuries that he sustained during the fight while undergoing treatment at the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital in Maharajganj of the Capital last night, police said.

A dispute ensued between Aryal, who was driving the tanker (Na 1 Kha 9276), and Surya Tamang aka David, who was driving the bus with registration (Ba 3 Kha 2293), which led to Aryal's death.

Hira Karki (35) of Taudaha, Kirtipur-15, who was accompanying Aryal, also sustained injuries in the attack. He has been undergoing treatment at the Bir Hospital. According to police, he is out of danger.

Meanwhile, police arrested eight persons including Saroj Kunwar aka Jyankaji (20) and Subhash Kunwar (17) in connection to the case.

Police have impounded both the vehicles and are looking into the case.