SSB fired in air as smugglers attacked patrol team in Indian territory across Nepal border, claims Indian Embassy

KATHMANDU: The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu said the news report on firing by the Indian Seema Suraksha Bal (SSB) at Nepali citizens at Nepal-India border and injuries on Wednesday morning was inaccurate.

The Indian mission claimed that the SSB had opened fired in air in self-defence after smugglers and their accomplices attacked the SSB's patrol team and injured one of the personnel inside the Indian territory this morning.

"At 05:20 hours on 25 November 2015, a patrol team of SSB came across a few smugglers inside the Indian territory across the Sunsari district of Nepal," a statement issued by the Embassay said, "When challenged, the smugglers and their accomplices attacked the patrol team and injured one constable. An SSB personnel fired in the air in self-defence, following which the smugglers dispersed."

The incident took place inside the Indian territory and no Nepali citizen was injured, the statement added.

The Government of India will continue to facilitate supplies to Nepal, the Embassy said, adding, "While doing so, SSB will continue to maintain order and security at the India-Nepal border."

Four locals, however, were injured in the firing, according to locals and Sunsari District Police Office. They have been identified as 40-year-old Ashok Yadav and 20-year-old Naresh Yadav, Manoj Yadav and Saroj Yadav.

Ashok has sustained bullet injuries on his chest and he is said to be in critical condition. Naresh was hit by bullet on his waist and Saroj on right thigh. All of them have been admitted to the Dharan-based BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences where they are undergoing treatment.

The fourth person sustained minor injuries and was sent back home after treatment at a hospital in Inaruwa.

SSB official "accepts firing by his personnel"

Meanwhile, SSP's Satana Post In-charge Ranveer Singh reportedly called up the chief of Sunsari District Police Office, SP Sanjaya Raj Sharma, and accepted that his jawans opened fire at Bhantabari of Sunsari.

According to Sharma, the Indian security official said it was wrong on the part of the SSB personnel in the incident and expressed his commitment to take action against the ones involved in the firing.

Before firing the shots, the SSB team reportedly had disputed with a group of Nepalis, who were ferrying chemical fertilisers brought from Bhimnagar bazaar of Supaul, at the Nepal-India border.

Chief District Office of Sunsari Rabi Lal Pantha and other security officials visited the site for inspection.

After inspecting the incident site, Indian security officials including SDM Arun Kumar Singh of Supaul district, DSP Sudheer Kumar and the chief of Birpur-based SSB batalliion Ram Awatar expressed their commitment to carry out an investigation into the case and take action against the guilty.

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(With inputs from Niroj Koirala in Bhojpur)